I had a revelation today that I needed to share with you all. Someone asked me a question that I’m sure you have been asked dozens of times before, too. A question so insanely common this time of year that it can only be compared to an everyday phrase like “Nice weather we’re having.” I was asked…
“What are your New Year’s resolutions?”
I was taken aback. Life has been so crazy; I guess I forgot it was THAT time of year again. I think I replied with a nonchalant “I haven’t really thought about it yet” or “I don’t know.”
I got home and that question stuck with me. How can I make new resolutions for 2024 when I still haven’t accomplished the ones I made this time last year? My depression kicked in as I realized all the goals I had set for myself DIDN’T happen in 2023.
- I didn’t lose 20 pounds… I actually gained it.
- My children’s book wasn’t picked up by Target… but I made more unnecessary Target pick-up orders than I can count.
- I didn’t make the financial gains that I had hoped for… I went into more debt with home repairs.
- My college GPA didn’t rise… in fact, it dropped a little (darn statistics!).
My mind was racing with intrusive thoughts that told me I was a failure. I sat on my couch with my head in my hands and that’s when it hit me.
I needed to RETHINK THE RESOLUTIONS.
- Yes, I gained those 20 pounds… that tells me I had food on the table and didn’t go hungry!
- Yes, my book wasn’t picked up by Target… but it was picked up by other major retailers like Barnes & Noble and Walmart!
- Maybe I didn’t make those financial gains I planned for… but the home I have is a work in progress and we made some big improvements this year on our house that we are so lucky to have!
- Maybe my GPA dropped a little… but I took some really difficult classes all while working and raising a kid. That’s not easy to do, and I still got A’s and B’s!
Rethinking the New Year’s resolutions turned my day around from feeling like a failure to feeling like I had just conquered the world! Guys… Jan. 1 isn’t some magical day.
You don’t have to wait for the new year to make positive changes in your life.
Start today. Take one day at a time. Do the best you can with the hand you’ve been dealt. I hope you go into this new year knowing how special, loved, and capable you are. And most importantly, I hope you are proud of how much you have accomplished this year.
Happy New Year, friends!
