Bid the Old Year Adieu: Starting With A Fresh New Year

Save to notebook Email article Print article More articles

By Rachel Derry
Staff Writer LIFamilies

With each coming new year, we find ourselves on the ledge of an exciting new beginning; a fresh new start. That is why so many people in our culture start “New Year’s Resolutions,” we want to start fresh and new with the calendar to change our lives and world for the better. Unfortunately, as when New Year wanes and we find ourselves in the same monotony of this year’s predecessor, we become complacent and figure that this year will be like every other. We fail at our resolutions because we feel that nothing will ever change. Perhaps it isn't the New Year that needs to change, however, but rather who we take on each new beginning. Make this New Year different by changing your own patterns.

Start your new year by making good resolutions while yourself. Whenever the New Year rolls around, we start by making promises to change everything we don’t like about ourselves. We resolve to head to the gym everyday to lose weight, we promise to make better dating choices, or swear that we’ll stay away from the usual toxic people or situations in our lives. What about taking care of making ourselves feel better, instead? Make a resolution to spend more time on your favorite hobbies, to make free time to go out with friends or to spend with your spouse/family. Promise to give yourself spa days on a regular basis. In short: make your new year’s resolutions about making yourself happy in good ways, not just by fighting your flaws and faults.

When you do decide on your new year’s goals, make sure to start your progress off straight away, and stick to it every day. You may want to lose weight or become healthier; stick with your goal every single day until it sticks. Go to the gym every day after work or walk around your neighborhood every day, no matter the temperature. New Year’s resolutions fail so frequently because we’re procrastinators by nature, as well as often complacent. If you don’t start working right away towards your goal, and if you don’t keep it up until it’s habit, you’re apt to completely lose your drive and desire, causing your resolution to fail.

You’re always told to be realistic with your goals, and to maintain parameters that you’re able to fulfill, but because of this you usually sell yourself short. Don’t be afraid to dream big! Set your goals as high as you desire and KNOW that you’re able to achieve them. It is said that, “we’re only as great as we allow ourselves to be,” so this New Year aim for the stars. You never know what you’re able to accomplish for yourself until you try. This fits hand-in-hand with our first suggestion: don’t make all of your resolutions about improving YOUR faults. Instead, dream as big as you dare and push life’s faults out of your way. Make a resolution to go back to school and further your degree; make a resolution to climb Mt. Rainier in Washington; make a resolution to find your dream job, no matter the cost. We truly find ourselves when we've conquered our greatest trials. Resolve to find your next, great trial this year.

Long Island Home & Lifestyle Articles > Bid the Old Year Adieu: Starting With A Fresh New Year