Do you ever just feel out of sorts after Christmas?
Literally the day after -just like that- the Christmas music stopped, the trash guy took away the leftover wrapping paper and the boxes were off to be recycled. The new toys and games are in constant use and the stack of new great reads are waiting turns for my attention.
The crash after the high of festivities and fun has set in and I am grateful for one of the most meaningful Christmas holiday’s I’ve had. My little family together, starting traditions, making memories; the simplicity of spending precious moments together enjoying the experience, and living it through the eyes of my child. This was the first Christmas that he REALLY understood and got excited about all that surrounds the Season.
But now. The aftermath. The funky space of ending one year and all the anticipation and hopes for this new one that is already in full swing. The constant mention of resolutions and magazine titles staring at you in the check-out lines. Proclaiming “the new you”, “losing weight after the holidays and keeping it off “,and “make this year your winning year” etc, etc. It makes me chuckle. What a set up!
Resolutions are like the biggest scam ever.
The recipe seems to always go the same. Make a resolution, work really hard at it, fail miserably three weeks later. Cue self loathing, shopping sprees, cancelled classes, borderline depressions, and/or wrappers of your hidden stash of prohibited milk chocolates in the trash. It’s almost comical really, that we do this to ourselves over and over and expect spectacular outcomes. But why? We may try to convince ourselves that the motivation for seemingly lofty goals are coming from a genuine place but really, don’t you think it’s more superficial? I mean, what is so significant about the first day of the next year versus starting next week, tomorrow or NOW on the goals we have for ourselves.
I stopped declaring resolutions years ago when I realized I was either really good at failing or really good at lying to myself.
This doesn’t mean I gave up on setting goals for myself, but let’s face it, life can REALLY throw you some curve balls that derail even the most accountable for a time or two. (Current curve ball aftermath cleanup in progress. . .)
Hmm.
Maybe we make the definition of resolutions more concrete than it needs to be, and in doing so set ourselves up for failures. According to dictionary.com a Resolution is “the act of resolving or determining upon an action, course of action, method, procedure, etc.”. Okay, that doesn’t sound so bad. But why not just simplify our expectations and give ourselves kudos on bettering ourselves in big AND small ways. Lets face it. . just making it through the day sometimes is reason enough for a pat on the back, or at least a YOU DID IT sticker from the nearest dollar store.
Perhaps setting the focus on the journey (whatever that path may be), and not necessarily the destination would allow the ebbs and flows not to take such a toll on us.
My plan this year is to truly focus on being more intentional about the things that bring me joy. Creating new fun family memories, loving on my husband, teaching my son new skills and allowing him to discover and grow his passions. Setting times specifically for my writing ambitions, elevating my Spiritual journey, nurturing healthy and supportive friendships, and sharing my excitement for my home businesses, is filling my cup.
Love it. Thank you!