With a new year approaching I am sure that everyone is evaluating their past year, thinking of their triumphs and disappointments and trying to figure out what they want to be different in the new coming year. Some people may pick to start working out, others may vow to drink less and some may be determined to be better at school or work. I bet there are even those extreme people who on January 1st are determined to take this New Year to create a whole new person. Well this year I’m not following the typical “new year, new me” bullshit.
I know that just because the year is changing from 2015 to 2016 does not mean that I will or need change. And frankly it doesn’t even mean I want to change. I am happy with my life, who I am and where I am at in my life. Sure there are some things that I could work on like working out more and eating healthier but that doesn’t mean I need to change my life to do so let alone change myself. I am happy. I am healthy. I have wonderful friends and family. And in two and half more years I will be graduating from college to begin doing what I love; working with kids. So why would I need to change anything?
Every year on New Year’s Day my family sits down to have a New Year’s dinner with the typical pork and sauerkraut for luck in the upcoming year. We then reflect on the past year by having everyone go through and say what their high and low of the year was. This is a great way to look back on the year that flashed before us and become excited for the new memories that will be made in the New Year. We also go around the table and tell one and other what our New Year’s resolution is. And every year I think that no one actually goes through with the resolution, including myself. So this year when it is my turn to say what my resolution is I will say that the only resolution I have this year is to keep being myself.
In this past year I have found myself to be the happiest I have ever been, at least from what I can remember. I have grown immensely this past year which is something I am extremely proud of myself for. I have found who I am and who I am not, what I am good at, what I still need to work on, and what I want in life. So why do things need to change? Why would I want to do anything to interrupt this wonderful path I have been on.
Maybe I will work out a little more in the New Year. Maybe I will eat a little better and study a little more. But if none of those things happen it will be okay. I will continue to live my life like I have been and I will do so happily. I don’t feel the need to make a new me or change anything in my life. In this past year I have gotten rid of all the toxic people in my life and found friends who are the real deal. I have found inner peace and happiness so just because it will soon be 2016 doesn’t mean that there will be a new me walking around.
A New Year and an old me. An old me to keep growing and take steps forward rather than backwards. So forget the idea that you need to change something in the New Year. Maybe all you need to do is keeping being you.
