We’ve all been there! The clock strikes twelve and we anticipate a year full of working out, eating right, traveling, and who knows what else. While these are all great things, this is why I hate New Years Resolutions…
Each year we feel pressured to dress up in a sparkly dress and heels, to pop champagne, and to post it all on our social media so everyone knows we started the New Year in a “fun” way. But most of the time, that isn’t the case. Most of the time, our lives don’t change just because the year did. Many of us are still in the same job that we hate, we’re still navigating unhealthy and abusive relationships, and we are still struggling to wake up every morning without overwhelming symptoms of mental illness.
Now I’m not saying you should sit around and let everything stay the same, but try to refrain from the narrative that a new year = a new you.
This narrative puts unnecessary pressure on ourselves to have an amazing year, when in reality it’s going to have its ups and downs like any other year. The key is to TRY to grow no matter the ups and downs. Just because the year starts over, doesn’t mean you do. You have a lifetime of experience to help you take on your next challenge!
All of us are constantly growing and changing no matter the day, month, year, or decade. Let yourself grow on YOUR schedule! Not the schedule the rest of the world has made up because we go from one year to another.
Honestly, this year may not be the best to come (despite all of the instagram captions), so try to avoid this mindset and instead focus on you and your timeline.
Instead of making the same passing New Years resolutions every year, stop and think about how you want to grow. What are some tangible ways you can better yourself in the upcoming days, months, or year? Start small. And keep reflecting on this as often as you can. Forgive yourself on the days where all you do is sit in bed.
So, throw away those unrealistic New Years Resolutions of working out everyday and eating a perfect diet and focus on the real change you want to see in yourself. New Years resolutions fade, but your growth shouldn’t! Focus on the incredible change that you’ve been working on for years. Celebrate your progress and accept your short-comings.
I do hope 2020 is a great year for you, but I hope that no matter the year you take what you have learned from the past and use it to better yourself. I know that’s what I will continually try to do.