I Already Forgot My 2020 Resolutions And So Did You
New Year’s resolutions are bogus. I mean, they make sense. I get it. But the underlying foundation for why we start them is so trivial and uninspired.
Why resolutions make sense:
We make resolutions on January 1st because we’re sitting at the foot of massive potential — that’s what a new year presents. Potential.
In light of a new year, the mind floods itself with thoughts of an improved self, higher social status, and exciting new relationships.
“I’m gonna workout everyday, meet new people, and pursue my passions.
Yeah!”
365 days is a long time. A lot can change over the course of a year and the resolutions most people propose are actually feasible.
You could become a better version of yourself this year (you won’t).
The sensation of potential is especially strong for 2020 because not only is it a new year, it’s a new decade. Without a doubt, you will radically change over the next 10 years. So it makes sense why we’re so optimistic watching the ball drop midnight December 31st. We know we’re getting older — we know we’re going to change. We might as well believe that change will be good.
Why resolutions suck:
Because dates mean nothing. They are numbers. Not tangible. Every year we push ourselves to change because the last digits on the calendar change.
Big whoop.
We’re overzealous with our goals too. We come up with BIG changes, serious changes, that extend from our routine and engrained habits, all the way to our ideological fixations about the world around us. Serious stuff. That said, it’s just plain stupid to believe a date on a piece of paper is going to be the catalyst for that change.
It’s not.
It won’t.
It can’t be.
I think deep down we all know this. Duh. It’s just funny how we wait and anticipate the new year with such noble intentions… yet we do so little to practically prepare for it.
My Failed 2020 New Years Resolutions
I wrote a pretty hilarious story about last years new year (at the end of 2018). I even made up some dumb, fake resolutions too.
The thing is I know resolutions are bogus. I know it! But this year, I got caught slipping. The whole “new year, new me” idea is so romantic. I really fell for it and thought I’d become a better version of myself in 2020 — solely because of the date change.
By definition, resolution literally means: “firm decision to do something or to not do something.” I had very specific resolutions. Black and white stuff. I will do A, B, and C and refrain from X, Y, and Z. Even with crystal clear intentions, I failed miserably. My goal was to hold true for the ENTIRE year. It’s really embarrassing I’m sitting here on day 8 writing this stupid thing.
Like I didn’t even get close.
I forgot about my amazing changes after the first 48 hours.
And this goes to show how MEANINGLESS New Year resolutions really are! I’m living proof of how dumb it is to rely on a date change for magical behavioral and character improvements — the date changes every day. There’s a serious lack of zeal and conviction if you have to sit around and wait to implement change in your life.
Resolutions serve mostly as delusions for how good our lives might be if we were to take consistent, concentrated action towards a goal. I played myself. In doing so, I exposed my true desires and where I stand in relation to the things I want to address and refine.
So yeah.
Resolutions are cute and make for great talking points during the holidays… But that’s about it (unless you prepare and actually do something).
