Every year we all decide to set a New Year's resolution. The thing about these resolutions is that most people can't stick with them through January. Mine never last the week. So if we never follow through, why do keep doing this? Why do we set ourselves up for failure every year?
To answer this question we first have to break down the nature of the New Years resolution. At its most basic level, it's a goal that we have for the next year. At the end of every year we sit down and decide that something about the next year will be different. We decide that we will be different. We make these big goals for the future, instead of deciding to change our lives now. It's easy to say that you'll give up chocolate for the next two months come January, while spending December eating all the chocolate you can get your hands on. Why don't we instead decide to eat less chocolate starting now, saving ourselves the regret this month and the disappointment when we break our resolution next month.
Why are you trying to cheat this goal, when the only one being affected is yourself? If you want to live a healthier life, live that life right now. If you want to change the way the world sees you, change the way you see yourself first. But see, that's only the root of another problem. Why are we always trying to change ourselves? No one is perfect, and we can all make improvements in our lives. But we need to be aware of the balance between accepting our own imperfections and knowing the things we actually need to change.
So this year, make resolutions that mean something. Think about where you are in your life right now, and think about where you could be if you believed in yourself a little bit more. Think about where you could be if you worked that much harder. And if you can't make a resolution that means something, then refrain from making one. Instead of setting a large goal for the next year, make smaller goals for right now. Make small goals that you can work towards everyday.
It's easy to say that you want to live a healthier lifestyle in the next year. It's harder to say that you will take the stairs and only drink water, giving up coffee and soda. But these are the things that we need to be saying. If you want to change your life, you are the only person who can do that. No one can make you do better. You have to choose to do better, and then actually do it.
So as this year ends, and we look to the next one, these are the things to think about. Take a look at your life. What are you thankful for and what are you disappointed in? What do you want, and what do you actually need? Who have you been, and who do you want to be?
2015 has been a pretty great year, but I have a feeling we haven't seen anything yet.
2016, we're coming for you.
