I Don’t Believe in New Year’s Resolutions

So, okay, it’s a new year (and a new decade–depending on when you start counting, technically). What does it mean? We change calendars and keep going. There’s probably some ancient rite or reason we celebrate the new year.

But I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions. Bah, humbug on them! (Wait–that’s another holiday. Close enough.)

I’ll tell you why I think New Year’s resolutions are complete bullsh*t. It’s because they amount to goals we could set anytime we want. There’s no magic to the date of January 1. If you want to set a goal and accomplish it, you can do it on any other day of the year. You just have to set that goal, take steps and follow through with action.

People who make resolutions on January 1 are often harboring the illusion that a new year means starting over with a clean slate. Bullsh*t! Your past is what it is and you can go forward and try to do your best to accomplish whatever you want, but New Year’s Day does not preface a clean slate any more than June 20 or September 19 (or other dates chosen randomly).

The thing that gives resolutions their meaning isn’t the date you choose to adopt them. It’s your willingness to establish them, then really stick to them. And you can do that anytime you want. Including New Year’s Day.

So, if you want to make resolutions today–that’s fine. Just don’t expect to them to keep themselves.

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