Forget “New Year, New You”

With the start of the new year, everyone has grand ideas and thoughts on resolutions. What should I give up? What should I start new? How can I better myself or others? What can I give more of my attention to, where can I benefit and better serve others? These are all thoughts and questions that cross our minds as we end one year and say hello to a new year. Many, MANY people come up with new resolutions each year. We come up with the same repetitive resolutions every year and fail to complete or achieve them. Resolutions are not just about physical changes or jobs or finances, but also mental, self care, spiritual, and even emotional. 

For me personally, I DO NOT SET OR MAKE RESOLUTIONS. I just don’t. I think they are silly. I do not need January 1 to come around in order for me to start to work out again or be more “present” in my life or marriage or be reminded to spread a little kindness wherever I can. I know all that. WE SHOULD ALL KNOW THAT. I know what I lack, what I need to prioritize, and what my hopes and wishes are for 2019 because all throughout 2018 I came to realize my faults and deficiencies. So for me, when I recognize what I am lacking, I do something. I know I really need to step it up for myself, family, and/or others. I try and be proactive, present, and aware the entire year long.

It is not easy. I do not succeed entirely, but I try and I learn. This is all we can do as resolution makers and anti-resolution makers. We are all just trying one way or another to be a better version of ourselves. For me, resolutions sound like they are meant to be personal.

But also try and think outside of yourself during your resolution making. For me, I think of three things during my “resolution” making moments. Not just on January 1 of every year, but be mindful all year long. I think of: MYSELF, MY MARRIAGE & FAMILY, AND MY COMMUNITY during my “resolution” making process and how I can better all three areas of my life. This is not just a “NEW YEAR, NEW ME” thing. This should be an “EVERY DAY, ALL DAY, EVERY ME” kind of thing. I think it is important to be as aware of every other 364 days of the year.

With all the challenges that 2019 will bring, this is one challenge you should take hold of. What can I do this year to better myself? What can I do to better my family, my children? And then, what can I do to better my marriage? Remember those three questions and I implore you to do some soul searching for the answers that work for YOU and remember YEAR ROUND.

Being a mom of three super wild, busy, and involved little ones, I need things to be simpler, not harder. With these three questions (for me), it simplifies what can be an overwhelming thought. Goals take time to reach. They take patience. They take forgiveness within yourself when you do not follow through. These are resolutions, goals you hope to achieve. This requires a plan. A plan you actually stick to. 

I hope this new year brings you and yours so much health, happiness, forgiveness, grace, prosperity, and hope. Resolutions are made with an intent to achieve them and a hope to reach your goal. I truly hope you do. Do not give up. Keep striving, keep trying, keep showing up and giving your 100%. No matter what.

When you think about giving up on your resolutions or goals, whether you set them December 31 or on April 11, do not give up. If it matters to you, you will keep striving. If you work hard and you achieve it: never give it up, fight like crazy, and keep it. Making goals and keeping them and achieving them does more good than people may think. That sense of accomplishment within one’s self is priceless. You have 365 days to develop a new year, new me attitude and way of thinking; pick any day and start.