"Before we come into a New Year, we have so many thoughts about how the year will go and what changes we’re going to make, but just how hard is it to keep up with those New Year resolutions?
A New Year for most people means starting over, as if the year just past is a stepping-stone to a new beginning. We have good intentions to become fit, to be more productive and to be happier. Those are the things we constantly strive for, but don’t always achieve.
I am no exception. In the early years, although I started off with good intentions, coming into a New Year, my enthusiasm would dwindle before I got off the starting block. I found the stresses I had before the New Year, become the stresses into the New Year. My focus around my disability also took precedent.
New Year resolutions aren’t a quick fix for us keeping them; they’re difficult to change, so it is important we look at how we can realistically change, without us giving up at the first hurdle. For example, we have opinions on exercise; for some of us our good intentions belie a different unconscious thinking; exercise is boring, for others it's a waste of time because we don’t always see a difference in our body shape or weight quickly enough, so we give up.
But it is important to start with a clean slate without any preconceived ideas, so that when we look at exercise, we see everything that is positive about it, rather than everything that is negative. Of course if the cup’s half empty it will always be half empty, until we change it.
We need to change our attitude and mind-set. Changing our lifestyle is important too, because without that our mind-set can't change. Everything is possible, but we need to keep working at things.
It's in the New Year, that another opportunity to open a new chapter begins – and I reckon that’s a good place to start."
Personally I don't like or make New Years resolutions Ilana as they always seem to be made far too enthusiastically, without much thought or planning.
If we really want to change anything in our lives we should sit down and make out a realistic plan, something that's truly achievable. If I personally need to make a change, I prefer to have a picture or photograph of what I need to change to... and keep the picture within eye-shot.
My bed mirror is a great place, to keep me on track and focused on what I need to achieve to make my change. I think we are saying the same thing really Ilana..? Happy New Year.
Yes Mike we are in complete agreement. Thanks for posting.
I don't make New Year resolutions either and I agree with you and Mike.
I once created a huge poster with cutouts and pictures of all the things I wanted in my life. This hung in my bedroom where I saw it every day. It reminded me daily to work on the things I wanted the most and also helped me to prioritise.
It was a useful exercise and something I must think about doing again as my life has changed completely since that time.
I totally agree with you Lisa, resolutions are very hard to keep. I'm pleased you found a way to keeping up with one or two of your previous resolutions.
Interesting points.
Good advice Ilana. I don't usually make resolutions because I become discouraged so easily, if I have a set back that I will give up. But it's not too late to make a tiny resolution, so I may try this year.
I know how hard it can be Lisa, but anything you can change that is for the better is worth a shot. Concentrate on one or two instead of trying to change everything at once!
Thank you.
I love this post. How true this is. I need to take your experiences and wisdom to heart! Thanks Ilana. 🙂
Thanks Kate.