We always seem to wait until the New Year to think about things that we want, what we hope to do differently, and how this year we will be the person we were always meant to be. This year I will lose weight. This year I will quit smoking. This year I will find the love of my life. This year I will write that book. This year I will do it all.
When we give ourselves a time limit and huge goals, we are setting ourselves up for failure. We want it all and we want it now, and so when we don’t lose the 20 lbs by February, or we’ve done match.com and eharmony and every online dating site and not found “the one,” we throw our hands up. Big change, which is usually what we go for at New Year’s, is not so easy to attain a lot of the time. At least it doesn’t usually happen that way; it takes its time, and requires hard work and patience.
Why do we wait for the New Year to start going after what we want? Why do we wait to live the life we always wanted? Do you really need to shove more cookies and alcohol down your throat this week and feel terrible, instead of getting a head start and feeling great today and not feeling guilty if you indulge a little on New Year’s Eve? What’s stopping you from going to the gym? Why not go out on more dates and see it as an opportunity to meet people and figure out what you want in a partner? Why not tackle your finances and see where you could cut spending, or where you could pick up some work to make a little extra (or hey, maybe ask the boss for a raise!!)?
See, every day can be viewed like New Year’s. Every day we can start over if we got a little derailed. Every day we can manifest what we want in this life, and make choices according to that. Is it more work to think about your choices before you make them? Yes. Does that mean you can’t indulge every now and then or take a break from time to time? No. When you try things that work and make you feel good, then that becomes motivation to keep you going. I know that when I eat according to The 21 Day Chinese Medicine Cleanse, I feel great. Did I indulge for Christmas? Sure did. I bloated up and gained weight. But this week, I’ve cut back, gotten on track, and now all the weight just fell off. I have my flat tummy and I’m feeling great heading into New Year’s Eve, knowing that I’ll have a couple drinks and probably some bar food, and that’s totally ok! The thing is, I feel great when I eat according to my cleanse, and so that motivates me to keep doing it. Because I did it for over 3 weeks, I made it into a habit, so I don’t have to despair if I binge for a week on Christmas cookies and rice pudding and stuffing, because I know I can get back on track. I made sure I really enjoyed those items, and only have them that one time of the year. Because I know that every day I have choices and I can commit to the healthy ones, I can easily get back on track.
It doesn’t matter what your desires are, whether it is to stop smoking or drinking, to learn a new language, to try a new cuisine or learn cooking, or to find the love of your life. Every day you can commit to yourself and your wellbeing and make that choice, consciously. If you have a serious problem, get help or medical intervention. Don’t be afraid to not go it alone. Form support teams, talk to others, or do anything you need to help yourself out in living the life you want.
So rather than creating New Year’s Resolutions, ask yourself what it is that you want for yourself TODAY and EVERY DAY, and start NOW. Feel free to share your goals!
Happy New Year,
Jen
Recent Comments