Life

New Year Resolutions: Do They Have To Be “New”?

Happy new year everyone, and compliments of the season – how’s the new year going so far?

I know you must have heard the phrase: ‘…it’s 2020, it’s a new year with a new system‘… Well, I have heard this over and over again. This has made me pause to meditate, and I have been asking myself a question- which I’d like to throw out to you. 

Have you made your new year resolutions?

If yes, or no – It’s fine, as this is helpful both ways!

Many at times, I see people making new resolutions for the new year -which is not bad. However, I think we perceive resolutions the wrong way.  Truth is that – your yearly resolutions don’t have to be new (at least not all)!

Truth is that - your yearly resolutions don't have to be new (at least not all)! Click To Tweet

Let me explain. What we call a “new year” is not actually new in itself. Think about it, the 1st of January for example, is only a day after 31st of December. Each day that passes leads to another day.  Yes, we have been given platforms through which we can take account of our time – 365 days make a year- and this is not bad in itself. It helps us to be conscious of time and to plan ahead. It also helps us to be accountable to ourselves. However, many at times, it leads to setting and pursuing unrealistic goals- and we fall victim of”chasing the wind”. 

What we call a 'new year' is not actually new in itself. Think about it, the 1st of January, for example, is only a day after the 31st of December. Each day that passes leads to another day. Click To Tweet

This doesn’t mean you should not set goals. This, however, gives a healthier perspective that helps to ease you from life’s pressures (some of them, being unnecessary). Looking to do new things in a new year isn’t wrong. But, ask yourself: does it really all have to be new? There are goals you’ve set, plans you have made and things you’ve listed out to work on in previous years (pretty good stuff). What are you doing about them?

Looking to do new things in a new year isn't wrong. But, ask yourself: does it really all have to be new? Click To Tweet

Your resolutions for the new year don’t all have to be “new”- hence, you shouldn’t neglect all those well-laid plans you had years ago. Remind yourself of your past consecrations and decisions, and FOCUS on them. Sometimes, you only have to continue in the same things you’ve set out to do- but doing them in a better way. Of course, you don’t have to keep on with bad habits (imbibe new ones) but embrace continuity in your yearly plans.

Your resolutions for the new year don't all have to be 'new'. You shouldn't neglect all those well-laid plans you had years ago. Remind yourself of your past resolutions and decisions, and FOCUS on them. Click To Tweet

One of the several problems that most nations around the world face is the lack of continuity. I mean, a past president could have built quite enough infrastructures, or might have implemented enough ‘reasonable and helpful policies’ but the newly elected leader gets there and feels he need to start anew, instead of building on and sustaining what he met on ground. Many of us treat our lives this way – we ignore past advice, consecrations, plans, relationships, and so on: instead of seeing our lives as a single entity, we break things into parts, and mess things up yearly! Hence, as we make our resolutions for the year, let’s look back and embrace continuity.

Many of us ignore past advice, consecrations, plans, relationships, and so on. As we make our resolutions for the year, let's look back and embrace continuity. Click To Tweet

The ones you see making ‘waves’ in different areas of their lives didn’t get there suddenly. They stayed resolute: doing the same things year in, year out. Take it easy: run at your own pace. Even if you attempt to do some new things – remind yourself of that same consecration which you’ve made, those plans you’ve had years back, and continue in them.

The ones you see making 'waves' in different areas of their lives didn't get there suddenly. They stayed resolute: doing the same things year in, year out. Click To Tweet 

Treat your life as a whole. Your life is a single entity. Embrace it. 

Written by: Samson Adeyemi

Read next: The Problem With New Year Resolutions

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