A new year, a blank page, a fresh start. You’ve likely heard it all. Somehow the flipping of the calendar from 2015 to 2016 is supposed to be magical, cleansing …almost spiritual. A chance to wash away the sins and disappointments of the past and start anew. An opportunity to make grand gestures, huge promises and massive goals. But what if it’s not really like that. What if as the New Year dawned you have a different kind of feeling. Not feelings of joy and excitement, but one of fear? A mounting pressure to think of the perfect resolution, set goals that would impress, be skinner than ever, happier than all the rest and make more money than ever before? To know exactly what you want and to go get it, now!
I know what I would say;
I would say you are setting yourself up for failure.
I would say you are giving into a societal pressure that is unrealistic.
I would say you don’t have too set goals that are so general, lofty and…ridiculous.
I would say it’s okay to cut yourself some slack, to give yourself a break and to simply take a breath.
I would say it’s braver to be your own person and go your own way.
I would say…it’s okay to be realistic.
In all likelihood 2015 was lovely. It was nice. Or it was okay. Not perfect. It had it’s ups and downs. There were tears and there was laughter. You won some and you lost some. You had days when you bounced out of bed with a grin on your face, and days when it was hard to drag your keester out from under the warm duvet. It was a NORMAL year. Not a single person on this earth had a “perfect” year. If they try and tell you they did, well, they are either delusional, or a damned liar.
I would say it’s also okay to acknowledge that January 1st was just another day. And it’s alright to skip making the grande gestures, setting yourself up to meet unrealistic expectations, or reach lofty goals. Don’t know exactly what you want out of 2016? I’d say that’s okay too.
How about we just all strive to be honest. Be happy. To cry a little less and to smile a little more. To be thoughtful and kind. To pay it forward when we can, and to accept help when we can’t. To give, to receive and to know, it’s all going to be okay.
A little truth a lot of love from the suburbs.
Mwah
New Year means new start! I have set some realistic goals for me and looking forward to what 2016 brings!
my new year has me still with the christmas decorations up! havent had the get up and go to take them down hopefully tomorrow I do it.
That’s what I’m doing this year, I’m going to be a bit selfish, with the heartbreak of my separation, my world revolved around him . I’m going to do more for me, I need to heal, I need to work on myself, I’m going to be happy.
Just want to avoid that pressure around, no super goals this year, may just skinnier would be enough for now.
Perfect advice. I want to smile more……
I think you hit the proverbial nail on the head, make goals not to change the outside, but the inside of who we are by emphasizing those qualities you listed.
Wonderful post. Aiming for small improvements throughout the year is the way to go. Thanks for acknowledging that life just continues and things can be very satisfying without big New Years resolutions.
Ahhh, if only everyone would resolve to be thoughtful and kind…can you imagine what a beautiful place this world would be?
Happy New Year, my friend. Loved this post!
What a beautiful post, thanks for sharing this with us. I’d say that a lot of people set their goals too high when a new year comes around, as if it’s a magical time. I myself never set myself goals nor make New Year’s resolutions, I just try to stay fit and healthy.
Your post is very inspiring. We try way too hard to make & have everything perfect when we should just be living & enjoying the best life we can
What a wonderful post 🙂 I think striving to be honest and happy is a good goal to work towards.
Life isn’t perfect, but every day is a new chance!
Happy New Year. Great reminders to start off the new year right. I’ve made some simple resolutions, but as long as I’m happy and healthy that’s what matters most
Happy New Year! I am sure 2016 will be a normal year for us, a continuation of the rollercoaster ride we can life. I don’t make resolutions because the just set me up for failure, instead I like picking a monthly goal which I know I can accomplish.
Some truth! Thanks for telling it like it really is. Everyone’s life isn’t how it appears on Facebook and Instagram, and thats okay. Let’s just all strive to be good people and happy.
I loved this post. Great way to start the new year is with some self reflecting self improving. Ive done the same, written out my hopes for the new year and letting go of the negative from the year passed.