52 Essays 2017: I Didn't Make A New Year's Resolution But It Feels Like I Did (and Failed)

I notice once it hits October, people are already talking about the next year. They're already proclaiming their new year's resolutions. "20__ is my year!" they say. Personally I'm annoyed by those folks. I mean hello there's still a few months left in that year. It just feels like those people aren't giving the whole year a chance; so ready to close that current chapter in life. I believe rushing to the next chapter is missing out on memories and life lessons. For whatever reason we tend to move on quickly, and it actually backfires more times than not. I realized this as my new year continued.

I've never been a resolution person when it comes to the new year. My thing is to just be a better me. However, while I didn't make any resolutions I definitely resolved my perspective stepping into 2017. I was waking up early, praying and meditating, taking on extra work, writing, running, keeping up with calls and meetings, and just feeling like a superb adult. While I typically reject the idea of "new year new me" I was operating as if I believed the hype. And essentially that's all it is: hype. For while my January had me feeling on top of my life, my February did not follow suit.

Throughout January I was exceptionally on point in all realms of my life. For anyone, as routine as they are, there's still usually a few areas in their life they're neglecting. So to be at the point where everything was covered all the time was unsustainable. Which is why that superb adult high came crashing down come February. I was coming in late for work again, neglecting calls with my organization, spending money frivolously, eating poorly, skipping church, not writing, and just being completely unproductive. I hated it and myself. Though I detected the issue early, I couldn't get myself to snap out of it. I just kept letting life live me. After evaluating the year thus far I realized this was the issue. Learning I had reset my life along with the new year unconsciously, made me realize I'm now grossly backpedaling because I exhausted myself the first month.

It's interesting how we can sometimes accidentally get sucked into the trends that we claim we oppose. I feel that was just me being excited for what's to come this year. Now that I know what I can bite and chew, I anticipated ending February well and starting off March nice and stabilized.

For anyone who is into New Year's resolutions, I do not mean to insult the practice. Anytime is a good time to start anew, including January 1st. I only urge you to make progressive practical habits that'll allow long term habits. The goal in life is to improve and we're always pressuring ourselves to be better at a rapid rate. That crashing feeling did not feel good and left me getting less accomplished in these two months than I would have if I paced myself.

Also please don't wallow in your pity too long like I did. Get up and get back at it! You've got this and must be proud every effort you put in. One tip to staying on top of things if a three item long to-do list.

Every day write down three to dos. As long as you accomplished one, you'll know you got something done that day and will eventually get all three items completed within a day!