By: Libby Young
It is now well into February of 2016. The one-month test of kept or un-kept New
Years resolutions is over. And to that I say, who the hell cares? Temporal markers
can be such a great way to gather new energy and resolve for a positive change. But
we don’t need them to try and be better. It’s only eight days into this new month and
it’s showing me more than January ever did.
We’ve all made promises to ourselves to do this, change that, to be different. But
what happens to ourselves when we break those promises? We beat ourselves up,
thinking destructive thoughts about who we are as a person. We regard ourselves as
failures. Unable to be or do better because we just simply suck as a human being.
Every day is an opportunity to be the best we can be. Every day is also an
opportunity to “fall short”. The problem with resolutions is we like to think of them
as these unrealistic yet completely attainable goals. Much like if I said I needed
peanut butter at the store. So I get in my car, I drive to the store, I walk in, pick up
the jar of peanut butter, purchase it, drive back to my home and put the peanut
butter on my shelf. Presto change-o, I achieved my goal. But this doesn’t work for
Our focus shouldn’t be in the achievement but in the trying.
If I want to lose weight, be more patient, or be more self-confident, these aren’t
things that I can ever achieve. EVER. Weight will always change, patience will
always fluctuate, and loving yourself will always be tested. Even that jar of peanut
butter will run out and you will need more from the store. So instead of focusing on
any goal as something we can check off of our lists, focus on the day-to-day pursuit.
As long as you are trying, you are succeeding! And when we falter, not if but when, it
won’t be a failure, because we pick ourselves up and keep going. We ate a half a tray
of brownies one night; eat something healthy for lunch the next day. We got upset
and yelled at a friend; apologize when you’ve cooled off and try to respectfully
convey your feelings. We feel low about ourselves, our looks or lack or
achievements; remind yourself about all the things you do love or are proud of
about yourself. To keep trying should always be the goal!
We don’t need January to be better. Just reassurance that when we make mistakes
as a human that it doesn’t make us imperfect. Our perfection comes from our
beautiful introspectiveness and constant efforts to be the best versions of us. This is
our success. This should be our only resolution.
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