It's that time of year again... You've gone home for the holidays, you've avoided your old high school enemies, you've watched everyone's Facebook 2015 reviews, and now you're about to be bombarded with the dreaded New Year's resolutions.
"Crap..." you think to yourself. "What am I going to tell Nana when she asks what my New Year's resolution will be?"
Well why don't you tell her this... "Newsflash Nana, New Year's resolutions are outdated".
Okay, so maybe you shouldn't be rude to your sweet, little old Nana, but you should agree, New Year's resolutions are outdated.
Why is it that the calendar marking of the new year the day that everyone simultaneously decides to change themselves? Think about it, it is going to be so hard to "find yourself" when everyone else you know is also trying to find themselves! Statistics have shown the giant increase many gyms experience in January is because of everyone making this year "the year they're going to get in shape." I don't know about you, but I hate going to a crowded gym. I definitely don't want to see my professor or my old roommate, trying to "redefine themselves" in 2016 just like I am. If I want to get fit, I want to get fit on my own time; I don't need society telling me that the upcoming year is the time to do it.
The reality is that if you're struggling to come up with a New Year's resolution, you probably don't actually want to work on whatever your resolution will be. Yes, setting goals is so important. Having tools in place to accomplish those goals and tasks can be even more important, but think about all of the times you've let yourself down by not accomplishing what you said you wanted to. New Year's resolutions often come from a place of pressure, not a place of want or need. If you are acting on pressure, chances are you won't succeed at what you're setting your mind to. I've learned resolutions often give me false hope. When I make a major decision regarding my lifestyle, whether it be to find a new job, or to eat better, or to put myself out there more at the beginning of the year, I only succeed for a month or so until I realize how much more difficult accomplishing these things are than I thought they would be. I do so much better setting smaller goals for myself each week, and no, I don't call them resolutions.
This year, skip the resolution. Yes, it's easier to reflect on what we're leaving behind in 2015 thanks to the start of the new calendar year, and yes, it is easier to focus on what is coming up in 2016, but make little "resolutions" each week. I guarantee it will be much easier than making two or three major lifestyle changes starting January first, and watching the rest of Facebook crash and burn on the journey with you.
If resolutions are your thing, then more power to you. Just remember that what works for you may not work for everyone, so please don't pressure those opting out of the New Year's resolution to make one. Adversely, if you're not going to make one, don't judge someone who is going to and is hoping for success, simply support them. What's most important for all of us to bring into the new year is kindness.
Have a safe, happy and healthy New Year, everyone!
