I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions for the same reason I don’t believe in low-carb diets. They are both impossible to maintain.
I can’t trick myself into better habits or behavior by resolving to do less or more of something every January 1st. By Groundhog Day, I’m ready to revert back to my usual habits and behavior just in time for Punxsutawney Phil to pack six more weeks of winter onto my list of disappointments.
Diets are even worse. Inspired by my friend who lost 30 pounds on the Atkins Diet, I once tried to go one weekend without eating carbs. Though my prime motivation was curiosity more than weight loss, I couldn’t believe that after 36 hours, I thought I was going to die of bread-deprivation. And I don’t even eat a lot of bread to begin with.
Nothing in life is a quick fix. That’s why diets don’t work and why only 8% of people actually achieve their New Year’s resolutions, according to research conducted by the University of Scranton.
But that’s okay. Life isn’t a sprint to try to be skinnier, healthier, happier or smarter. Whatever we need to change in our lives has to be a process of trying hard every day to do and be our best.
Are there things I want to change in my life? Yes. Here they are:
JUDGE LESS. LOVE MORE.
That’s it. Some days, I’m really good at it. I can face conflict, disappointment or difficulty with understanding and empathy. Some days, I’m too tired, angry or annoyed to even try very hard.
But I won’t stop trying. I don’t need to remind myself on January 1, 2015 to remember. I’m already committed.
So I guess my New Year’s Non-Resolution is to promise to keep trying.
And when I wake up tomorrow morning, I’m probably going to eat bread.
Happy New Year!
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Ann K. Howley is the award-winning author of Confessions of a Do-Gooder Gone Bad.
Please visit her website at http://annkhowley.com/#about-ann
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