Face it, when you create a list of new year’s resolutions, you look at it once and then never again until the end of the year. They fall by the wayside after January, and then move on your old habits in February. At the end of the year you think, “oh I forgot about that” or “I guess I did that.” But, you never truly do all of the things on your list. This is why I think that this year, people should create a list of “I can” statements instead of the usual resolutions.
“I can” is a very empowering statement. It allows a person to feel like they are in control of what they are and aren’t able to do. Just like Rosie the Riveter says, "We Cab Do It!" and I know that was aimed towards women in World War II, but it also applies in this way. If we believe we can do something, we most definitely can.
By saying “I can,” you make a statement within your reach that you know you can accomplish. I believe that this control and empowerment allows people to feel more relaxed and more enthusiastic to start their New Year’s “I can” statements. When a person makes a resolution, they are simply stating the “I will”s that have a underlying ton of “someday.” One of the most famous and popular resolution people make for themselves is “I’m going to go the gym and I will live healthier.” With this, the person has an implied “someday I will live healthier but right now I going to eat 20 chicken nuggets.” By saying I will go to the gym, you are motivating yourself by taking small steps. The first could be actually making it to the gym and setting up a membership. The next step would be to go back to the gym and work out for the first time. Then you just have to establish a schedule and go back every chance you get.
In the face of the New Year, I want and will take every chance get because there are so many opportunities and open doors. It is important that we seize the day since we only live once. I know that saying you only live once is a cliché, but it’s true. Every year is a blessing, and seizing those opportunities each year is important. “I can” is important to say because it shows that we know our limits and what we are able to do. So this year, make yourself an “I can” list instead of a list of New Year’s resolutions.
