Happy New Year readers! I’ve been thinking a lot about resolutions, what they mean and trying to come up with new ones for myself. How many of you have New Year resolutions? Also, why do we only come up with resolutions in the New Year? Why are they called ‘New Year’ resolutions? Can’t we create resolutions at any time of the year? I decided to look up who created it and when the first ever recorded ‘New Year’s Resolution’ was. According to history.com, resolutions date back some 4000 years to the Ancient Babylonians who began by making promises to their gods at the beginning of each New Year. In fact, every civilization and time period has been making ‘New Year’ resolutions throughout history since. However, as time has modernized, resolutions have become less about religion and more about self-improvement. Interestingly statistics also say that only about 8% of people who make resolutions actually stick with them! What about you? Where do you fall? I’m definitely somewhere in the 92%. However that being said, I am in the 92% if I make a NEW YEAR resolution. I find that I tend to make resolutions to change or improve myself over the entire year. When I do this I find I am more successful. I think there is something about the pressure of conforming to the idea of New Year resolutions that automatically makes me fail...or the off-the-cuff answer I give to people when they ask me what my resolutions are. Then I feel I have to stick to that comment, even though I’m not sure that’s what I wanted to work on. I recently saw a post on Instagram from @balance_festival that suggested dividing a page into 3 columns. In the first write words that you want to embody. In the second, write ways you can actively embody each of these words. Finally, in the third, create a time frame for you to set these. It’s similar to a personal action plan. I should be ace at this as I wrote action plans all the time in my previous career! Resolutions are just a plan to change aren’t they? So, if we were to actually sit down and make an action plan, then I think resolutions would be more readily achievable. So for example, this year instead of saying ‘I’m going to reduce my amount on social media sites (gasp!)’, instead I’ve decided to make a positive actionable resolve: ‘I’m going to read for at least 30 minutes every day’ and ‘I’m going to do at least 30 minutes of exercise every day.’ Notice I didn’t say I was going to try to lose 10 lbs or start running?!? In fact, those are 2 of my own resolutions (reading and 30 minutes of exercise). In addition to these resolutions, I made a list of things I want to achieve this year- a set of targets for myself. Another resolution I’d like to set for myself is to be more fiscally responsible. So in order to do this, I’m going to set aside a certain amount each month for holidays, another amount for Christmas, continue my new found love of grocery shopping at less expensive stores. I’m also still working on last year’s resolution of de-cluttering, living a more minimalist lifestyle. I need to make more specific steps for that. If you have any ideas for me, please leave a comment below. I could use all the help. Well, I’d love to hear back from you about any resolutions you’ve made- successful or not as well as any helpful tips you might have for me. Thanks for stopping by to read.
Helena St Roas
6/1/2019 05:18:45 pm
Hi Michelle Happy New year to you. Loved reading your blog. I have made resolutions that were not realistic and not really me, i think my most memorable was running a marathon with my partner at the time, it was never going to happen as i can stand running, so fair enough to say that my resolution fell as flat as my relationship at the time. Comments are closed.
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