I used to jump on the New Year’s resolution bandwagon every January, only to find myself abandoning them before the week was out. It felt obligatory, almost like I had to participate in the “new year, new me” mantra that so many people embrace. Yet, I found that this often led to disappointment and self-criticism when I inevitably fell short.
When my children were young, the idea of setting these resolutions lost its appeal. I came to understand that if I genuinely wanted to pursue something in my life, I didn’t need to wait for a specific day on the calendar to make it happen. The pressure to transform into an idealized version of myself on January 1st was overwhelming.
What I discovered was that I made far more progress on my personal goals when I approached them gradually rather than all at once. For instance, I started running in the fall, a passion I had long desired to pursue. Then, one summer, I embraced the art of sewing and knitting. None of these endeavors were tied to any New Year’s resolutions; they were simply things I wanted to do for myself.
As I grow older, it becomes clearer to me that true readiness is crucial for making real changes. If you’re not prepared, no amount of intention will lead to success. I could have created an extensive list of ambitions to tackle when the new year rolled around, but just the thought of trying to change so much because of a shift in the calendar felt exhausting.
Winter is a season when I often lack motivation. After indulging in holiday treats and shopping sprees, the last thing I’m inclined to do is start a new project or abandon a habit that isn’t serving me well. Setting myself up for failure in the wake of a major holiday seems unwise.
Here’s the bottom line: If New Year’s resolutions don’t resonate with you, let them go. Many of us can stick to these goals for a short while, but we often end up feeling guilty for failing to maintain them. Ironically, releasing myself from the pressure of resolutions has been one of the best decisions I’ve made for my personal growth.
Instead of waiting for January 1st, consider initiating change when you feel truly ready. You can choose your own timeline, or start spontaneously. The passage of time is inevitable, regardless of the date.
This is your gentle reminder to abandon resolutions if they don’t serve you. Coming from someone who has struggled with them for years, I wholeheartedly recommend it. For more insights, check out this helpful blog post.