As the year starts to come to a close and January rolls around, new aspirations and goals begin to pop up once again. “New year, new me,” they say. I’ve always sort of laughed at this and become somewhat annoyed with the concept of “New Years.”
Each year it’s the same thing.
We gather with friends, centered around a TV, counting down, waiting for a year filled with new beginnings. We post on Facebook, telling the world our amazing resolution, awaiting the response and feeling self-content. As January 3 becomes January 30th, we quickly revert back to our old ways, becoming victims of old habits.
We are constantly stuck in the idea that we get a fresh new start, a rewind, and a new beginning when the clock strikes midnight. But why would we want that? Our mistakes, our falls, and our failures are what make us who we are. If we were to ignore them and get a fresh start, we’d fall into the same mistakes each year, as we often do.
As each year rolls on, I am constantly perplexed as we fall into the same trap. Yes, it is good to make goals for yourself and good to want to make a change. However, why wait until the beginning of a new year to do so? Each day is a new day. We can make a difference throughout any time of the year. Yes, we find comfort in knowing we have a “fresh start,” but in reality, it is still just another day.
Make realistic and honest goals for yourself throughout the year and follow through. Don’t wait until the “New Year,” and don’t make a goal just to have something to share with friends at dinner. Do it for yourself on March 12. Do it for yourself on May 2. Do it for yourself on October 25. Do it for yourself any time throughout any day of the year. Don’t wait for the world to tell you to do so.
