Year after year we make resolutions we can’t keep ; we frantically try our best during the first few days of January and then poof, Motivation is gone. I say this with conviction because I am one of these ‘do gooders’. I write a list and make sure to check it twice but alas there goes my new years resolution…again. Be more organized, make more time for friends and family, conquer the world. We all have a resolution that we hope to fulfill during the chosen year but is there really any point? If we make our year about ‘resolutions’ that we failed to commit to previous years ago then surely that defeats the objective of a ‘new year’? After all going into a new year is about gaining perspective; thus we should try something new and outside of our comfort zone.
When my friend asked me what my new years resolution was I was stumped. So many of us center our resolutions around goals but I began to think a little differently. What if we centered our resolutions around ‘achievements’ instead, would it mean we would be more successful at completing them? Another thing to note is that we all make the mistake of thinking that ‘resolutions’ are annual commitments when in reality our goals and achievements should be ongoing. So instead of calling our new years resolutions , ‘resolutions’ can’t we just call them ‘ongoing goals’? Sure it doesn’t have the same ring to it but isn’t it a more accurate description of what we would like to achieve in the future?
What really gets me mad is when people come down on you for not achieving your ‘new years resolutions’, making you feel guilty for your supposed lack of success. In my eyes if a ‘resolution’ is actually a ‘goal’ you are working towards, then surely falling off the bandwagon is a natural course of progression? After all Rome was not built in a day, athletes spend years to just qualify in the Olympics and the average blogger takes 7 years to make it ‘big’. In the grand scheme of things, a resolution makes it sound as though your journey is one straight narrow path to stardom, when in reality it takes blood, sweat and tears. We never stop working towards our goals but for some reason we spend the last few days of December drawing up goals we ‘have to have completed’ by the end of 2017. What you should really be doing is looking forward to living in the moment and not feeling guilty if you only partially complete your goals.
I have lost count of the times where I have drawn up a list of stats to be completed by the end of each month and those goals not be met. Instead of feeling angry, sad or frustrated I welcomed it as a challenge to work on the next month and so forth. Take Instagram for example, in my idealistic fantasy pre January 2017 I believed I could break 10 K but life got in the way. From March to October I was rarely on Instagram and was barely posting or engaging with users. It was largely due to photographer inactivity but it was also partially due to lifestyle changes, moving, deaths of loved ones and poor management of time. Instead of bemoaning why I wasn’t making rapid progress on social media I waited until I could begin posting more frequently, taking the pressure off my performance. From October to December I saw a growth of 1.5 K and double the engagement and likes which in my eyes was excellent. I am no way near 10 K ; I am about to break 4 K but it doesn’t matter. We all progress at different rates so why let new year resolutions dictate our success?
Only you have the power to dictate your success and whether that be small or gradual changes don’t make it an annual resolution, make it a lifestyle change. I told my friends that I wanted to be a full time blogger by December 2017 but realistically I know that might not happen. And that’s ok, as long as I keep working at my goal and take regular breaks in between I know that I will achieve my goals. Whether it takes one year or three, I don’t need a new years resolution to create goals to work towards.
Do You Believe That New Years Resolutions Are Overrated?
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I’ve never been one for new years resolutions, i just find them pointless and not many people keep them anyway
Everything you say makes total sense to me! I think focusing on achievements in a continuum is much more inspiring than focusing on a resolution that is made just for New Year
I do think they are overrated in some senses but I also think it helps sometimes to have something to reach for
I never make any. They are way overrated and put unnecessary pressure on us.
I never make resolutions, there are enough pressures in life without adding to them x
This post is really inspiring! I totally agree with you. I think it’s a good time to reflect and build new habits to plan our goals and work on them 🙂 …I love your outfit!! x
I never make New Years Resolutions, I just try and learn from my mistakes. Which doesn’t always happen! Kaz x
4k on Instagram is still a great achievement. I don’t make NY’s resolutions anymore as I never stick to them. I just make mini goals each month instead. Jo x
In my opinion New Years Resolution lost its meaning because people make it and then did not do anything to really convert this want into an act, it remains a wish. So it loses its intended power to make a change or produce something new in an individual. Thus when I hear this word it seems weak. And yes we should just see to it that we do something everyday towards our goals and not put up so high target but a realistic one, we ought to be moving towards our goal but at the same time enjoying our lives. 🙂
I only made New Year’s Resolutions up until high school, because it was like homework where you have to write an essay stating your resolutions and how you think you will achieve it. After graduation, poof! Never made another resolution. I think we are on the same wavelength. New Year’s Resolutions are so overrated! I just take two steps back, look at the bigger picture and work on improving things one little step, one little process at a time.
I never make news years resolutions, but this year we have decided to quit smoking, it just happens to be in the new year after holidays is more of a convenience! They are really overrated
i DO have a NY resolution: Those ankle boots you’re wearing!!!
Apart from that, I only have in my to do list the conquest of the world, eating healthier, blogging more. Nothing serious 🙂
I don’t think they are overrated but I know they are pretty hard to keep. It just happens yearcafter year just like you mentioned, we make goals but we can’t make them. Some are dependong on ourselves but in some cases life just don’t go the way we excepted.
I tried making them when I was younger because teachers tried to force us to do work on them in primary, but they were silly ones. I tend to do bucket lists, where I list things I’d like to do throughout the year.
New Year’s resolutions are always hard to follow, but I don’t think I’ve had anyone shame me for not following through, lol! That would definitely be disheartening. I think I gave up NY resolutions a long time ago 😉 Happy New Year!!
I think people make unrealistic resolutions which is why they can’t achieve them. Personally I never make resolutions but just aim to better my self each year.
I’ve never really made new years resolutions think I tried it once and then gave up and do things when I feel the time is right not just because it’s a new year.
I love this because it is SO spot on! I was thinking about this when thinking about where my blog is, or even my romantic relationships. Goals should be progress in any regards.
First off, I love your outfit! It’s really nice, even the color! I think it’s important that instead of making resolutions we just focus on what we can do. I like the idea of striving towards achievements instead of resolutions. That’s really nice and more motivating!
I don’t think they’re overrated, I just believe a lot of people don’t stick to them (myself included).
I completely agree with resolutions. I’d rather build on myself throughout the year as opposed to setting one massive goal. As you say, there’s so much pressure behind it, it seems completely unnatural to put that on yourself and try to live up to it! x
Totally agree, I don’t make new year resolutions but I do like to make goals, for me thats easier for me
New Years Resolutions are a little bit overrated, but it depends what type of person you are. I made a NYR three years ago to lose weight and ended up losing almost six stone that year – it was the best thing I did. I haven’t kept a NYR since though…
I think they’re overrated as well, have never really set any New Year’s Resolutions. I am setting some professional goals to achieve this year, although they’ve always been goals and I’ve been trying to complete them for the past half a year now – just haven’t had the time yet to focus on it.
Personally, when it comes to setting myself goals, I prefer doing that whenever, or on my birthday. I don’t think we need New Year for that. And I think the cliché resolutions (such as losing weight) aren’t always healthy for our mental health either, especially cause I feel like there’s a lot of pressure around New Year’s resolutions?
I completely agree with you here. I stopped making new year resolutions a few years back and it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done for my MH. xx
I could not agree more! I’ve stopped doing resolutions, I have goals instead. I now think of small changes I’d like to achieve by the end of next year and then make tiny changes in order to get there. Too big too fast just leads to feeling like you’ve failed early on.
I have always disliked the term ‘resolutions’ as you said they are ongoing goals hence why I do monthly achievable goals. I will put together what I would like to accomplish that year but always check monthly to see how I am doing. If I don’t achieve it one month I move it to the next until I do
I don’t make New Year’s resolutions, I just focus on what I really do and enjoy the process! May you have a great year and a wonderful time ahead! Happy New Year 2017, Ana!
I’m all for the optimistic side of resolutions. If it helps someone do something they love then it gets a big thumbs up, but I don’t believe in setting unrealistic goals which many people do.
I find New Year’s Resolutions overrated as well – but this year I’m trying to set small goals x
I like making New Year’s Resolutions, but I try to keep them realistic and simple. I agree with you that “life happens” and we have to reajust our schedules and our timelines, but as long as we don’t give up, we are on the right path. Happy new year #2017! 🙂
I’ve always been the one to make resolutions and not fufiling them. I’m feeling optimistic this year though and I’ve tried to make my goals more realistic! xo
I can never keep resolutions, ever. I do like the idea of goals as they don’t seem so strict x
I agree Resolutions are kept only on first few weeks of the year. That’s why this year I planned to small goals every month and focus on it instead of having too many things on my plate
This time I made a “New Year Resolution”… because it’s not about this year. It’s about the future!
I do believe New Year’s resolutions are overrated hency why I stick to monthly goals and if I dont achieve those I move them to the next month until I do.
I think it’s so important to celebrate our achievements but to not set the bar too high. It’s always setting us up for failure!
I find New Years Resolutions overrated as well – but this year I’m trying to set smaller goals that are easier to achieve x
I totally agree! I feel like resolutions can increase the pressure we already feel and set us up for failure!
I HATE New Year’s resolutions and never make any: if I want to change something or aim towards something, I will do it when I choose.
I love the boots! Yes, my personal resolutions are gone. Dust. Nowhere to be found. Now, my career goals, they are on track. I guess I don’t care about myself as much as my “job”.