Why I Have Ditched New Years Resolutions In 2021… And Why You Should Too.
Every New Year millions across the globe make a hesitant promise to themselves that this year they will finally accomplish their intimidating goal that weighs on their shoulders.
Whether it be to get healthier, save money or quit smoking, most people decide that the new year is the best time to finally attempt these aspirations. I agree that at the beginning of the year it is sensible to arrange yourself with a clear mindset and ambitious goals- but 2021 is not a normal year.
Carrying the remnants of the shipwreck that was 2020, the start of this year will be like no other. With a broken economy, being managed by a broken government who are guiding broken people, it is fair to say that charisma is not as it was before.
Despite everyone’s excitement in welcoming 2021 with the hope of a happier and more prosperous outcome, it is unquestionable that the beginning of this year will bring challenges of its own. The ruins that Coronavirus has and continues to leave us in will play a massive part in people’s ability to stay positive and move forward.
With that said, it would be difficult for anybody to focus on such a demanding objective, as most people’s resolutions aim to better themselves in such an intense way.
According to YouGov, ‘for the second year in a row health dominates the top three resolutions.’ Most people this year have vowed to do more exercise, lose weight and improve their diet. Although these are all very achievable goals, bare in mind the difference in the circumstances in which we are trying to achieve these goals.
Personally, I decided that this year I would like to lose those lockdown pounds and attempt to manage my money in a more responsible way. And now here I am, only a week later telling you all how I have now ditched these resolutions for a much clearer and more effective plan.
This year has only just begun and already I found myself struggling mentally with everything that is going on; national lockdown, work, family, money - and the list of anxiety inducers goes on…
I made a decision that my new year's resolutions were not as important as keeping my head above water. It is easy to feel as though you are being dragged under; the ghosts of 2020 are filtering in again and more problems are becoming apparent. There is no good in ignoring these facts and trying to move on without accepting them, so I did.
I have accepted the heartbreak and anguish that has consumed my life in the past year, and I now recognise that every ounce of torment I have endured will allow me to appreciate all of the beauties of life, no matter how small, and help me grow. It is a powerful thing to be able to come to terms with the bad in life and turn it into a positive learning experience, and I am deciding to use that power to guide me forward in to this new year.
Realising that these resolutions I had set myself were not worthy of the worry that I would face when they inevitably start to fail was the best thing I could have done to save myself mentally. I know that if these aspirations became another thing to add to my anxiety inducers list, I would end up feeling less motivated, and ultimately I would be allowing more negativity in to my life.
I would have become obsessed with my goals and this would have allowed them to get in the way of my happiness, therefore doing more harm than good.
Gyms are not open and it would be harder for me to maintain a stricter diet due to excess stress, current financial hardship and the lack of routine I have found myself in. Usually I would erase these thoughts in my mind and pin them down as excuses, which essentially they are. However I think it is paramount that we give ourselves more slack this year and realise that the basics of keeping ourselves positive and motivated is most important.
Most goals that people set themselves for the New Year end up breaking down quite quickly, and this is due to the resolutions being too vague.
In 2019 Forbes revealed that 80% of New Year's resolutions fail. This is simply the result of attempting to achieve something big but not being specific enough on the steps you will take to get there. It then becomes very easy to get lost on the way, and you get wrapped up in whatever else the world throws at you and forget about your goal altogether, until it's too late.
Instead of one big yet vague resolution, I have opted to set myself smaller weekly goals; things that are more achievable in everyday life and that can help me to feel more stimulated and productive when I achieve them.
As these goals can be attained in a shorter amount of time, you will then feel more accomplished more often, leading to a clearer mindset. Then, once you get in your groove you may be ready to strive for something bigger and more mentally consuming.
For instance this week I have decided that my goal is to ensure that I eat breakfast every morning to start the day out right and formulate some kind of routine in doing this, and I will also write down one thing I am grateful for at the end of every day.
Although these goals seem very easy to most, and maybe even pointless to some, knowing that I have managed to accomplish this will help me feel motivated to begin my next goal and task. In the long run this will ensure that weekly I am doing something to better myself internally and externally.
So I advise you to take a step back and evaluate your goals. Incorporate in to your resolution your plan or instead, ditch those resolutions completely and do little things for your mind and soul.
I promise you won’t regret it!
