We’re 14 days into the new year and most people’s resolutions will have been forgotten or tossed aside, with only 8% of people who set a resolution will see it to fruition. So many people toss their resolutions that January 17 is considered ‘Ditch New Year’s Resolution Day.’ We can count on every New Year to begin with a barrage of tag-lines advertising some type of weight loss tool or a better you. ‘A New Year, A New You,’ or ‘Seven ways to a new you,’ or ‘The three best foods to battle the bloat’ and the list goes on. The new year is also often riddled with questions about resolutions, “Did you make any resolutions?” and “What are your resolutions for this year?”
Here’s the number one way to keep your resolutions. Don’t make any. I know I sound like Bah-humbug New Year, but I’m really not. I love the New Year. The New Year brings with it the excitement of newness and a desire or wanting for the new year to be different in some way than the last year, especially if the previous year was particularly difficult. I think this is part of the reason people don’t keep their resolutions because of the high expectations they place on themselves. We see this in making more than one resolution. We are so motivated and excited about the new year that we want to change everything, Now!
We want to change our lives or ourselves, and we want it done fast and easy. Like everything in life, the newness of the year wears off and we’re left with the reality of : resolutions = change. Change = work. Work = no fun = ‘I don’t want to do this any longer.’ I get it. I don’t make resolutions. Instead of making resolutions, make a goal, one goal. Psychologically, we seem to attach a little bit more reality and compassion to goals, because goals can be accomplished within weeks or months, while other goals depending how much work, time and effort they need may take years. Goals can also be set any time of the year, not just when you’re coming down from the high of the holidays.
This way there is less of beating yourself up because of All the things you didn’t accomplish the past year. I find it ironic that we welcome each new year with happiness and cheer (Happy New Year!), yet by making resolutions, we actually begin the new year by looking at what is Wrong within us or in our lives.
Some people may set a goal to eat better, lose that holiday weight for their health, drink less etc. There’s nothing wrong with that, but realize that you can do that at any time not just the new year. Set a realistic goal and be kind to yourself in the process.
New Year, No Resolutions.
The Cultivated Heart 