Ah, the pressures of a new year.  Aren’t we all guilty of setting some sort of New Years resolution?  Why??  What is the purpose of setting a goal for ourselves that is supposed to encompass the entire duration of the new and upcoming year?  Is it to make us feel more productive?  To lead us in a direction that we think we should be going?  Is it to please those around us somehow by showing them what we think they want us to do?  Ask yourself this question…is the resolution that you set for the new year for you, or for someone else?  Is your resolution stressing you out or lifting you up?

Let’s take it down a level and process the actual purpose and point of a resolution.  Who was the person that even started this tradition and why did it even catch on and become popular?  Making a New Year’s resolution is a HUGE deal to some people.  They stress over it, plan it, announce it and literally focus on it to the point it becomes their obsession.  For what?  That doesn’t sound like very much fun, in my opinion.  Am I missing something?  Isn’t the point of a resolution to do something for you, to better yourself in one way or another?  To lift you up and compliment your life?

Is your New Year’s Resolution Stressing You Out or Lifting You Up?

Resolutions can be set for just about anything, really.  Thinking of the new year, the number one resolution on most people’s minds is to lose weight or get healthy, right?  Other resolutions may be money-saving tips, more family time, less addictive tendencies..you name it, one can resolve to give up or improve on anything.  Want to spend less time working this year?  Make a resolution to work less.  Need to find a way to incorporate a vacation?  Concentrate on thinking up a resolution on how to have a vacation before mid-year hits.

So, let’s take a look at the resolutions that you have set for this year.  First, does it compliment you and your lifestyle.  Did you set that resolution for you?  Think of it this way…is your resolution to work out more this year but you absolutely despise working out?  Then why on earth would you give yourself a resolution that you are going to dread and hate doing?  That sounds so stressful, and not fun at all.  Again, your resolution needs to be about you, and something that YOU want.  If you set a want or a goal with no drive or desire to actually do it, it will fail and fizzle before the month’s end.  Why do you think that gyms have a huge increase of people signing up to work out at the start of the new year?  Because each and every one of them set a resolution to get fit or healthy for the new year, but many of them fail to have the faith, drive or want to actually follow through and make it happen.  No judgement here, I’m one of them.  That’s why I don’t set my resolution to revolve around working out or getting healthy!

Whatever your choice on what you want to focus on resolving this year, I beg of you, make it something that you love and enjoy.  Do not let your resolution stress you out.  It should be something that compliments you, and your lifestyle and something that you enjoy doing!  It should bring happiness to your day-to-day and a positive vibe along with it.  Think tank of what you love and branch off from there.  Do you love animals?  Then make a resolution this year to volunteer at the local animal shelter.  Is crocheting something that you love to do in your spare time?  Set up a plan to crotchet hats or blankets for the newborns at the local hospital.  See???  Resolutions don’t have to be stressful, dreary or draining!!!  They can compliment you and the life that you are already living and loving!

Whatever your choice, make it be a choice that lifts you up rather than stresses you out.  And guess what?  If you make a resolution that you don’t like…change it!  It isn’t set in stone for the year and you have the option to tweak YOUR resolution to however it best compliments you and your life!  Have fun this year, and challenge yourself to be the best you possible, doing things that you love to do!