Saying Farewell To New Year’s Resolutions

If you’re wanting to kick your half-hearted resolutions habit, there’s no better time to start than now.

Well, we made it through 2020 – the year of coronavirus, lockdowns, home-schooling and uncertainty. Here we stand having survived all of that alongside the regular pressures of normal life. Whoever you are reading this, give yourself a big pat on the back. 

A new start

With the beginning of any year comes a fresh sense of optimism, and no year needs that more than 2021. Whilst we are by no means out of the woods yet, the vaccine rollout brings hope that in the coming months some level of normality will return.

Along with the usual choruses of “Happy New Year!” that we hear throughout January are three other little words, dreaded or welcomed depending on who you talk to: new year’s resolutions. “Have you made any? What are they? Oh, that sounds interesting! Have you started?” 

Sound familiar? Perhaps you set them with steadfast determination every year, or maybe you feel the pressure from numerous bossy accounts on your social media telling you to “write your intentions for the next 12 months NOW.”

Either way, after the events that have occurred over the last year, it’s perfectly ok, or perhaps necessary, to not buy into the hype. In fact, how can we expect to be resolute about anything with so much uncertainty still in the air? On average, between 20%-25% of us set promises to ourselves come January, and out of those roughly half will be broken in some way, whilst a quarter will not be met at all. 

Take the pressure off

If 2020 was a year of survival then 2021 will be a year of healing the pain many have experienced over the last 12 months, a chance to embrace the slow life by choice, rather than force, to reconnect with loved ones and with ourselves.

For so long January has been associated with promises of becoming fitter, leaner, stronger, better in some way, out with the old, in with the new, targets, goals and achievements. But perhaps during this upcoming year, we could just be. No drastic changes (we’ve had plenty of those), no “new year, new me” rubbish. This is the time to know that you are not only enough, but that you are everything. Living through a pandemic is no walk in the park, yet here you are. To those closest to you, you are exactly who you need to be. A loving parent or carer, a loyal friend, a devoted daughter or son, a supportive colleague; whatever roles you occupy in your little corner of the world, let 2021 be the year that you focus on the excellent work you do, just by being you. 

One day at a time

We never know what the next year will bring, but it seems that now more than ever is the time to go with the flow and live in the moment. Staying in the present will help us to feel calmer and avoids the deflation felt when a resolution that was set weeks earlier isn’t kept. It ensures we remember to take stock of all the good that exists in our life and not to miss the little pleasures around us (that can be as little as five minutes peace and a hot cup of tea in between home-schooling/work/parenting/life admin!).

More than anything, it’s worth remembering that the 1st January isn’t the only time to set goals; the next 12 months of your life starts on any day of the year – something to remember the next time that new year’s resolution guilt comes knocking. 

Let’s celebrate taking things day-by-day by moving forward with the confidence of knowing our worth and discover the joy of placing no promises on ourselves at all. 

Written with love, by Roxy x