New Year, Same You: The Truth About New Year's Resolutions
/2023 New Year's Resolution: to not make any more new year's resolutions. Here’s the thing about new year's resolutions, they’re meant to be broken. What I’m trying to say is, they are pointless. Yes, a new year can often signify a refresh, a new start; however, goals can be made at any point during the year. There is so much hype about being a better version of yourself once the clock strikes midnight on January 1st. In my opinion, it's because the idea of making yourself new is just a way to make ourselves feel better about all the things we didn’t achieve last year.
I used to be an avid new year's resolution maker. That is until I realized that resolutions can be made at any time and anywhere. This isn’t to bash anyone who makes new years resolutions, I used to make them too. However, since I’ve stopped, I’ve lived my life without the pressure to be the best version of myself at the start of the new year. Even though it's a new year, it is also just another month, another day, really. Truly, I stopped following the notion of a “new year, new me.” However, I am not against making goals. In fact, I have some tips to make sure any goals you make–at any time–succeed.
Make sure they are sustainable–is it something you will actually want to do?
Why do you want to achieve it?
What is the long-term outcome?
In making these goals, don’t measure your success based on productivity. I used to define my days by how much I got done on my do-list, but, truly, making my daily goal of being productive made me feel like I achieved less because oftentimes, I didn’t check off every box on my to-do list. Because we measure our success through the idea of productivity, it really is rewarding when you wake up early, complete all your work and go to the gym. However, most days are not like this. In fact, measuring your happiness and success from productivity makes you think about everything you didn’t achieve. Yesterday, I woke up at noon, spent the day watching movies and did not cook any of my meals. Despite my unproductivity, I measured my day based on the enjoyment I felt from simply doing nothing.
With these tips, maybe you can give up the idea of a “new year, new you” and make some goals right now…or, in six months. Or, whenever you decide that you want to make a change in your life. What I’m trying to say is: stop pressuring yourself to become the “best” version of yourself right now. If you want to go lay in bed, watch some Netflix and do nothing, go for it. I promise you’ll thank yourself later.
