So, I have been thinking a lot about how the week before New Year's Day seems a lot like the Cinderella story. You know everything sucks and then you meet your fairy godmother. Your fairy godmother (the idea of the New Year) gets you hyped up and then you get to have a ton of fun partying it up because everything looks like it's going to change, and then the clock strikes and you realize that not much has changed. Now there is a possibility that your Prince Charming (2017) will find your glass slipper (your hopes and dreams for the year), and maybe he will return them to you or your evil step mother (all the bad things that happened in 2016) will lock you in the kitchen and you will be stuck there for the rest of your life.
You see the fact that 12 a.m. turns the year from 2016 to 2017 doesn't change the fact that, everything that happened in the past 366 days actually happened. I am not sure we realize that the clock striking 12 is not a magical thing that changes everything. Instead it is signifies we went around the sun once and we can use this moment to take a step back to reevaluate and maybe change a few things. Maybe it's time you grab both pairs of shoes and get your happily ever after instead of waiting for it to be handed to you. *cue Cheetah Girls' Cinderella*
So, here are my thoughts on why you shouldn't expect 2017 to be your Prince Charming and some thoughts to take along with you.
1. You should learn from and build on the past. Not expect it to magically disappear.
2. Jan 1st is just another day, the only difference is that most people decided to pull an all nighter and party.
3. Make goals and expectations for the year.
4. Be realistic because you're going to want to quit your resolution after February (maybe even earlier)
5. You are going to make mistakes... even on day 1 just try again don't wait for some special beginning.
6. Try actually doing the adventures you dream of instead of just dreaming.
7. Splurge a little. Save a lottle.
8. Don't let all of the bad of last year outweigh the good.
9. Make an effort to make more memories in your head and less on your phone.
10. Grab your own dang shoes on the way out the door.
I get it. This past year has been pretty rough. I mean we had to get a new president, and not everybody is thrilled about that. Then we have lost a large amount of legendary celebrities. And also let's be real all of us have screwed up majorly, which means that we are bringing baggage along. However, that's life and we can't think that one day will magically change everything. Instead we need to take the next step and not lose our shoe on the way out of 2016.
