We can all see it now: the giant colorful ball dropping in Times Square as we count back from 10 and welcome the new year in with open arms. But will a new year really bring a new you?
We all know at least one person who towards the end of each year posts the stereotypical "if you ain't with me, I'm leaving you in 2016." Or the ever infamous "New year, new me!" But is the new year really gonna bring about change within you?
Every year, the majority of people's resolutions are 1 of 3: to get in better shape, to save more money and to improve themselves overall. However, most people's resolutions fall apart after about three weeks into the new year. One common pattern I've noticed between the people who make resolutions and give up on them early into the new year is they always vocalize them to others. They are more concerned with making sure that other people know that in the new year they're going to be so much happier and healthier because they made a resolution and this is the year they're gonna stick with it! However, I've come to notice that the people who are less focused on making sure that others know about their resolution are usually the one's who are more successful on following through with them.
People nowadays are more concerned with making sure that they look impressive in the eyes of others as opposed to making sure that they're impressing the one person whose opinion really matters: their own. Who cares if somebody doesn't believe in you or noticed that you lost the ten pounds you worked so hard to lose. As long as you know and you're proud, then isn't that all that really matters? Also, why are people so concerned with making sure that if "I'm not with you by now, then I'm leaving you in 2016?" If I wasn't with you now, then didn't you already leave me?
This year, everyone's resolutions should not worry about impressing others with their resolutions and making sure that they stick to them, no matter how big or small and no matter how big or small the changes are. Your resolution was to lose 15 pounds by February and you lost 10? Guess what: you lost 10 pounds. Stop focusing on impressing others and focus on impressing yourself. At the end of the day, the only opinion that truly matters is your own.
Happy holidays and happy new year to everyone!