Ever since I was younger, I've been skeptical, and slightly cynical, about people's attitude toward the new year. A lot of people have made new year resolutions that I always thought were unrealistic because I was aware that change didn't just happen from one day to the next. I understood that I wasn't going to be an entirely new person when the time changed from 11:59 pm on December 31st to 12 am on January 1st, and I expected everyone to understand that too. I'd always been baffled as to why people approach the new year with (sometimes) unrealistic expectations.
That is, until I needed change.
2015 was a rough year for me, and I needed it to be over. There was a lot going on and I was exhausted. I needed a mental and emotional break. I needed something to reset. Even if it was arbitrary, I needed something to begin again.
I didn't make any new year resolutions; I wouldn't be going to the gym everyday, I wouldn't start a new diet, I didn't promise to go to church every Sunday, and I wasn't going to magically stop being sarcastic and pessimistic around my family and friends. I just told myself that 2016 would be a better year, a good one. I just wanted things to be different.
And, oh man, 2016 wasdifferent.
Much happened in 2016. From the most disappointing presidential election ever to distressing events in my personal life, I've had to deal with a lot. Instead of trying to reset again in 2017, I've relearned that I can't expect things to be dramatically different.
Things are different. They do change. But I've been reminded that change is subtle. Growth is subtle. Just because we don't notice change happening, doesn't mean it isn't happening. Take a look at the people around you, for example. They aren't the same people they were when you first met them.
I've also been reminded that I can't just expect to just have a good year. That's not how life works. There are good and bad times, and I've relearned to appreciate both.
I already know 2017 will be different. I'm expecting life to go on, and time to move forward, just like they always do.
This doesn't mean that we can't make change happen. Try new foods, meet new people, pick up a new hobby, stand up for the people who need it. It's up to you to make room in your life for different things.
Just don't expect to make big changes all at once, it's okay start small. Set smaller goals for yourself first to make things manageable. Go to the gym once or twice a week, if you don't usually go. If you want to eat healthier, start by cutting out some sugary drinks and drinking more water. If interacting with others is hard, start by smiling at passersby, then say hello, then eventually introduce yourself.
And when a big, unexpected change does happen, good or bad, don't let it slow you down.
We get to live a different life everyday and, I don't know about you, but I don't want to miss out. I didn't want to wait for a new year to declare a new me. I started six months ago, one month ago, a week ago, yesterday. I started again today.
