Resolutions…An All Year Thing

Where did the idea of resolutions in the New Year come from, anyways? Sure, I guess it seems appropriate that January 1st is like a do-over button in our life. With that new beginning it seems like a good spot to start spouting about how you’re going to change this or that. Well I’m here to tell you that’s just a bunch of malarkey. MALARKEY! You see, life isn’t like a video game. You don’t have extra lives or continues if you add some quarters into the machine. No, life keeps on rolling whether you want it to or not, baby. You can’t just smoke for 50 years, then on January 1st of year 51 say “Hey, it’s January 1st and I’m done smoking.” Well, you can. And I’d suggest you do quit, but the damage has been done….

Okay, what I’m getting at is that you don’t wait for some specific date, say January 1st, to make positive changes in your life. Do it the second you’re ready. Do it in April, May, June, or September. I guess if January 1st happens to be that day then do it then. Just don’t hold New Year’s Resolutions in such high regard. That’s a lot of pressure to put on yourself. And the more pressure is bigger the fall when things don’t work out.

Back in 2012 the wife and I started this budget thing. We didn’t make it a New Year’s thing. We made it a “now” thing. It was a truly positive thing for us, both as a family and a couple. It’s amazing the stress and anguish being tight on money can do to you. I never realized it until I was out of it and looking in. We’re in the best shape we’ve been in…ever. We can enjoy life and not worry about the next big bill.

In 2002 I made a choice to get healthy. It wasn’t a New Year’s resolution. One day in February I suddenly just felt bad. Just, lousy. I knew I needed to make a change, so I got a membership to a fitness place that was affiliated with the hospital in town. In two years I’d dropped almost 50 lbs just with diet and exercise. It’s remained a priority in my life ever since. Of course there’s always room for improvement and I strive to continue those healthy improvements in my life, but when my kids know that me going to the gym is a regular thing I know I’ve made some good choices for myself. Granted, I can’t do push-ups with my two youngest on my back anymore, but they’re pretty heavy nowadays. Don’t judge me!

These are just two examples of the whole resolutely committing to a positive change in your life. Don’t put that New Year’s pressure on yourself. If you want to make a change, then do it. If you’re not ready yet, then do it when you’re ready. Make resolutions an all year thing, not just a one day thing.

I won’t judge you if you’re not ready yet. Promise.