Every year, I start off the new year by making resolutions. Most often, they involve taking measures to lose weight, eat better, manage stress, stop doing this, start doing that... But it usually seems that, by March, I've reverted to my old routine.
I'm starting to think the idea of "making resolutions" is fundamentally flawed. I realize that I've essentially been letting my guilt and shame motivate me, telling myself that I'm still not good enough, that I did such a crappy job at things last year I really need to whip myself into shape starting right-this-very-minute. I always seem to fool myself into thinking that if I just work harder, I will be able to make these massive, sweeping lifestyle changes on January 1st and become a better person than I was on December 31st.
The reality is this: change usually doesn't happen like that. We don't go from being naturally-flawed humans to perfect versions of ourselves overnight. Juice cleanses don't work (I'm sorry - they really don't). Moderate adjustments and deliberately making better choices every day is how changes are made. Aim for progress, not perfection, and you will be happier overall.
That is, after all, what life is all about: to be happy. I know it's not about looking good, or eating kale every day, or finally buying myself that pair of shoes I want. Because when I get those shoes, or lose those five pounds, I guarantee I'm already hunting for the next goal.
This year, I resolve to be happy. Not to do what feels good in the moment, but to aim for real, sustainable happiness. Before you dismiss that idea as being hedonistic or selfish, hear me out...
Happiness and health go hand-in-hand. It's hard to be happy when your body is holding you back from doing the things you'd love to do. My goal this year? To love the body I have. And I love my body more when I give it the exercise and stretching and food that it needs. I love to feel myself getting stronger or knowing I'm able to do a yoga pose I couldn't do just one month ago, but I'm not going to do one pushup or jumping-jack in 2015 with the intention of changing myself or looking like this or that celebrity. I'm doing pretty good already, thank-you-very-much.
Being a good person makes people happier. I know I certainly feel better when I do good things for others. People also seem to enjoy being around me when I'm in a genuinely good mood. But nope, I'm not going to give myself vague goals like "volunteer more" in 2015, or "give more." I want to be there for the people I love, and to keep my eyes and ears open for opportunities to be a good person -because it's the right thing to do, not because I think I'm bad or selfish now.
A positive attitude actually makes you healthier. Studies have shown that people who identify with positive emotions like gratitude, amusement, and awe, are more likely to be healthier and experience greater levels of success in their work lives. So how do you cultivate a positive attitude? Through things like meditation, writing, and play (read more about that here), which I'd like to do even more this year.
Let's make 2015 our happiest year yet! But I promise you - you and I are already better humans than we've ever been. Why not start the year by reflecting on how far you've come?
I'm starting to think the idea of "making resolutions" is fundamentally flawed. I realize that I've essentially been letting my guilt and shame motivate me, telling myself that I'm still not good enough, that I did such a crappy job at things last year I really need to whip myself into shape starting right-this-very-minute. I always seem to fool myself into thinking that if I just work harder, I will be able to make these massive, sweeping lifestyle changes on January 1st and become a better person than I was on December 31st.
The reality is this: change usually doesn't happen like that. We don't go from being naturally-flawed humans to perfect versions of ourselves overnight. Juice cleanses don't work (I'm sorry - they really don't). Moderate adjustments and deliberately making better choices every day is how changes are made. Aim for progress, not perfection, and you will be happier overall.
That is, after all, what life is all about: to be happy. I know it's not about looking good, or eating kale every day, or finally buying myself that pair of shoes I want. Because when I get those shoes, or lose those five pounds, I guarantee I'm already hunting for the next goal.
Happy in spite of the -34 degree wind chill
This year, I resolve to be happy. Not to do what feels good in the moment, but to aim for real, sustainable happiness. Before you dismiss that idea as being hedonistic or selfish, hear me out...
Happiness and health go hand-in-hand. It's hard to be happy when your body is holding you back from doing the things you'd love to do. My goal this year? To love the body I have. And I love my body more when I give it the exercise and stretching and food that it needs. I love to feel myself getting stronger or knowing I'm able to do a yoga pose I couldn't do just one month ago, but I'm not going to do one pushup or jumping-jack in 2015 with the intention of changing myself or looking like this or that celebrity. I'm doing pretty good already, thank-you-very-much.
Being a good person makes people happier. I know I certainly feel better when I do good things for others. People also seem to enjoy being around me when I'm in a genuinely good mood. But nope, I'm not going to give myself vague goals like "volunteer more" in 2015, or "give more." I want to be there for the people I love, and to keep my eyes and ears open for opportunities to be a good person -because it's the right thing to do, not because I think I'm bad or selfish now.
A positive attitude actually makes you healthier. Studies have shown that people who identify with positive emotions like gratitude, amusement, and awe, are more likely to be healthier and experience greater levels of success in their work lives. So how do you cultivate a positive attitude? Through things like meditation, writing, and play (read more about that here), which I'd like to do even more this year.
Let's make 2015 our happiest year yet! But I promise you - you and I are already better humans than we've ever been. Why not start the year by reflecting on how far you've come?
