Reflections on New Year's Resolutions: A Personal Take

Thanks Jay for the opportunity to share my thoughts on New Year's resolutions in 2020. While the phrase 'believe' doesn't fully capture my perspective, I approach the New Year with a sense of hope and acceptance. Each new year is a reminder of the unavoidable march of time, a reminder that I must continue to strive to live healthily, hopefully, and happily.

As an older individual, the idea of resolutions is somewhat different. I've embraced a more pragmatic outlook. Life is a continuous journey, and there's no grand scheme or plan that I can lay out in advance. My family is well-settled, my professional life is stable, and my health is at a level where I can enjoy these latter years. This year, I've even managed a visit abroad—always an adventure in itself.

For younger individuals, however, New Year's resolutions might hold greater significance. They are at a stage where setting goals and aspirations can indeed be transformative. They might take on the challenge of quitting smoking, learning a new skill, or even embarking on a new career path. My advice to them would be to go for it, but to remember that these goals require consistent effort and the strong will to see them through.

Personal Experiences with Resolutions

I don't claim to have any inherent belief in resolutions. In the past, I've tried various New Year's resolutions, but the last few years haven't seen any significant changes. This year, however, I have decided to try something new: quit smoking cold turkey. While this may sound daunting, I've committed myself to this challenge for the second time in 10 years, having previously managed to reduce my daily cigarette intake to five.

As someone who has experienced the power of faith and divine intervention, I turn to my go-to guide for spiritual support. St. Mary’s intercession in my journey will be crucial. After all, it was her miraculous help that broke my alcoholism back in 2000, and she has since guided me through other endeavors, including my recreational drug use.

The Myth of Resolutions

The truth is, most of us set resolutions that we end up forgetting by early January. This is not to say that setting goals is futile, but it is to highlight that these goals often lack the necessary commitment and motivation required to see them through the year.

Let's explore why you shouldn't rush into setting New Year's resolutions:

Why Did You Make a Resolution?
Is it because your friends told you to? Or do you desperately want to conform with societal expectations? It's important to have genuine motivation and a personal desire to achieve your goals, rather than simply following a trend.

The Social Media Factor
While it's tempting to share your resolutions on social media to gain popularity, these posts often lack sincerity and authenticity. The real challenge lies in sticking to your goals rather than simply sharing them with the world.

Procrastination and Lack of Focus
With an entire year to achieve a goal, it's easy to procrastinate and delay action. Short-term goals are much easier to achieve and can provide a sense of immediate gratification, encouraging you to move forward to the next goal.

Motivation Levels
It's crucial to maintain motivation over an extended period. As time passes and we get caught up in other responsibilities, it's easy to forget or abandon our New Year's goals.

No Pressure, Just Joy
The New Year is a time for relaxation and celebration, not stress and pressure. If you can't keep up with a rigid plan, then setting a grand New Year's resolution might not be the best idea.

Eutout, there are other times in the year where you can set smarter and more achievable goals. The point is not to exclude the New Year from your plans entirely, but to use it as a starting point rather than a rigid deadline.

Conclusion

While the idea of resolutions holds a certain allure, it's essential to approach them with a realistic and grounded mindset. Whether you're aiming to quit smoking, start a new habit, or simply live your best life, the key is to be authentic and realistic in your goals. The New Year is a time for reflection and planning, but let's not forget that personal growth and motivation can happen at any time of the year.

Happy New Year!