OPINION: Why you should tear up your 2022 new year resolutions
Posted by Ahmed Iyanda | 2 years ago | 1,344 times
Undoubtedly, beginning a new year is such a hopeful time. Whether we break out an unblemished calendar or merely scroll over to the month of January, there’s sometimes the sense of being given a fresh start every January 1st. We make notes, wishes and even set goals or new year resolutions either mentally or on paper, which we are determined to accomplish. Yet, all too often, we stumble over the first steps of change and quietly retreat to old, unhealthy habits. Hence, we later find ourselves in an unsatisfactory situation.
But we forget so easily that setting goals can be more trivial than we thought, especially for those who do not prioritize setting goals and coming up with a to-do list. However, it is advisable to take one step at a time, this is more efficient and achievable.
The lists you’ve made for 2022, if possible, tear them. The resolutions you have just written, drop them. You know those lists aren't feasible to achieve, in only a matter of days, perhaps even hours, they will be as broken as the ones you made at the beginning of 2021.
It may not be totally your fault that you couldn't keep your resolutions of last year, or the ones you have made or about to make for 2022 are doomed to fail.
Majority of those that have written down their resolutions have high hopes with new oaths and determination for the new year and a tad later they are chewing off their fingers in frustration as they fail to accomplish them- they are just mere promises. The reason for this constant failure in keeping new year vows is not solely caused by the lack of will or tenacity to stand by your words, but in those words themselves and how we declare them, plus no determination to accomplish them.
However, some of the things killing those new year resolutions include but not limited to:
First day of the year is too early to make a resolution
The first day of the year is like other days, January 1st is just a new day, however, it seems like the perfect time to start afresh, but it doesn't work like that. Simply put, the way we rush into January 1, with blitz, buzz and merriment is against the slow deep meditation that the start of real resolutions demands. What many don't understand is that a lot of these resolutions fail because they’re not the right resolutions, we just vow just the way we so desire.
So which is the best day for resolutions? The day you’re ready. For a significant lifestyle change, it’s either you are ready to do it right now, or you aren’t. Setting aside January 1st to make vows doesn't change anything if the zeal and commitment aren't there; you have to prepare for it and make smart choices.
Regardless of the new year, lofty targets are doomed to fail. So, making lofty declarations on the new year doesn’t make them any more realizable. Instead of such unattainable mantras, like an end to alcohol or changing the old ways, make strategic, mindset-shifting objectives. Such objectives can be big boosters for your career, your love life, your fitness goal — whatever your heart desires, you have to painstakingly plan ahead.
The New Year Momentum dies very Fast
Every last day of the year, people are always anticipating and eager to witness the coming year, forgetting that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Of course, the new year comes with some touch of merriments, buzz and the likes. The truth is that the momentum fizzles out quickly. It is not because those commitments are not sincere, many are. Andrea adds, “people don’t say to themselves “I want to take a half-assed stab at being healthy.” People DO want to quit smoking. They DO want to be in shape. They DO want to have a baby, and get a better paying job, and save for retirement.”
New Year Resolutions
Many people fail to plan for the year. They forget so quickly that without proper planning, the 365 will still come without any success recorded. You have to be committed to your goals before the new year comes around and also have to be ready to work towards them. Don't forget, the clock is already ticking.
When making new year resolutions, you have to become an obligation and be intentional about it, they are doomed to fail
Not only sidelining a single day to start a major life change is illogical, taking such change as obligatory only ends up making you feel like a loser when you fail to achieve them at the end of the year. This is not to say that you shouldn’t approach your resolutions with all seriousness or determination, but you start to lose the plot when you begin to take your new year vows as a must-do exercise. Rather, your resolutions should be born out of inspiration-it should be what you want to feel rather than what you want to accomplish.
