Sunday, January 1, 2012

New Years

There are many things I don't understand about human tradition, (or at least humans in my culture as, if I were to incorporate the entirety of human existence, the list would be never ending), but one that comes up every year (how's about that) is the idea of 'New Years' and the resolutions thereof.

It isn't that I don't understand the idea of wanting a fresh start, I certainly get that.
But if you want to make a change in your life, why limit yourself to one time of year to start trying?
Every day can be considered the start of a new year. If a year is defined as a space of 365 (or 366) days, or as the amount of time before the earth has done a complete rotation around the sun, either way it will be a full year before January 1st comes around again. Same for the 2nd. Or August 15th. Or any day of any year.
So why is JANUARY ONE considered the best day to decide the curvature of your life for the next year and the years to come?

Honestly, since so many people are drunk on New Years it actually seems like the worst time to decide... anything.

The only time one should commit to a life changing course of action should be when they are ready for a change.
My dad told be something that he had heard once, last week:
"Never change anything in your life until you are completely bored with where you are."

I understand the desire, I just don't understand the significance of a New Year's resolution.
Especially since they are notorious for failure.

If you want to change something in your life, do it.
Don't wait for the new year, don't pin it on the change of time.
Just do it (thanks Nike, now I can never say that with a straight face.).

Of course, if New Years is the only time you think about rearranging your life then that is understandable.
But that pressure for people to have a resolution is silly.
If I don't have a resolution, it doesn't mean I have no desire to change anything.

I made my most recent resolution on the 7th of December. Because that was the day I decided I could not stand one more day of living the way I was.
So I resolved to change.

So I guess the point of this post is to ask:
Do you make New Years resolutions?
Have you ever succeeded with one?
Do you feel you have to make one?
If so, what makes you feel that way?
Why do you make resolutions?

Me?
I do, once every couple of years.
I'm not sure if I have ever succeeded, I don't remember what any of them were.
Yes, I do feel pressured.
People announcing theirs, or asking about mine. When you say you don't have one, that look they get that says that you are lazy, or unambitious, or unmotivated. That look makes me feel like I am wrong for not having one.
I make resolutions (as stated above) when I feel I can no longer put up with what is going on. They can be small ones ( I WILL clean my room today, and keep it clean for a week!) or they can be big ones (I will no longer participate in the vicious cycle of self harm.). But whatever they are, they are sparked by the horrible feeling of worthlessness, and the much better feeling of being better than that. Deserving more than what I am giving myself.
I dont know if that is the "right" way to do it, but it has worked so far.

2 comments:

  1. I make New Years Resolutions and yes, I have succeeded with one. But only one thus far :P

    I never feel that I have to make one. A New Years Resolution (in my mind) is no different that a goal to work towards. And those are things we make anyway no matter what time of the year it is.

    I make Resolutions because I think they are fun and they keep me from being too lazy. Like this year I promised myself to be a better student. That means I actually have to do my school work. Will I keep up with it? Who knows. But at least I am more aware of what I need to do :P

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  2. Hmm. That is a good point. I never really thought of it as a socially accepted time/way to take a good look at your life and decide what you want to change.
    I suppose any thing that is going to encourage people to try and improve is a good thing, if the pressure isn't there.

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