~about 5 minute read
Happy Holidays!!!! I hope that 2019 was a great year and that 2020 will filled with health and happiness for everyone!
Going against the grain, I decided to write this final blog post for 2019 by arguing against New Year Resolutions.
Before you judge, hear me out 😉
Indeed it is a very traditional task with which many of us tend to start every New Year. What can be the harm right? They are goals that are meant to motivate us and help us maximize our potential! Or not?
Do you even remember last year’s resolutions? I don’t!
What I do remember though is the hope and excitement that, come January 2nd (because on the 1st I am probably too exhausted from the celebrations), I will exercise more, eat healthier, work more efficiently, dress better, wake up earlier, have better work-life balance… etc.
I also remember that as holiday decorations are stored and jingle bell songs stop playing at Starbucks and on the streets of Piraeus, New Year resolutions are tucked away in some corner of our mind.
It’s not surprising that this happens though. Think of it logically: how can anyone expect that just because a clock hit midnight everything will suddenly change?
Admittedly, living our personal Cinderella (or Christmas Carrol) moment is tempting but unless we have a personal Fairy Godmother hiding underneath the Christmas tree, it is unlikely that all that will actually happen overnight.
I don’t mean to be the Grinch that stole your New Year positivity! On the contrary! We need to hold on to that energy and motivation!
However, what I have personally decided not to do this year is to indulge in the process of setting unrealistic expectations and goals.
Holding on to the belief that as of January 1st I will be able to achieve all those goals that I hadn’t conquered in the past years was making me unappreciative of all the things I actually achieved.
The reason for this is very simple: Setting goals successfully cannot happen when you’re under the influence of temporary emotions.
Irrespective of whether someone experiences holiday highs or holiday blues, both are temporary emotions brought on by the decorations and the marketing buildup of carols, food, gifts and parties.
Enjoy the feeling if it’s good.
If you’re on the blue side, in my experience, the best thing is to accept it. Ignoring it will only intensify it.
Whichever side we are on this year I feel it is important to remind ourselves that it is all temporary and artificial.
Either way, personally I don’t want to use this feeling as fuel for change. Not anymore.
So this year my goal is that when I wake up sometime around midday on January 1st, I will acknowledge the past and look at the present instead of looking forward.
Come January 1st, let’s celebrate the wins and accept the losses. They are both gifts, albeit sometimes in disguise.
Let’s be happy for all the new healthy habits formed in 2019. This is proof that slowly but steadily we can change and become better.
Let’s show gratitude toward ourselves for all the things, big or small, we accomplished in the past year.
Let’s think of all the people around us. Our friends, family and colleagues. Let’s think of the people that we do not see eye to eye with.
Every person around us teaches us something every day. Personally, I want to be grateful for it.
In essence, my only resolution for 2020 is to be present. To be in the moment. To appreciate who I am at the specific point in time.
Happy New Year and remember,
Chin up, heels down and enjoy the ride.