Just a Thought: New Year New You?
Are you ready to take on the change you are declaring in this new year?
While your calendar might reflect a new year, don't feel compelled to change your life simply because the date has changed. Yes, the Gregorian calendar new year is a great time to take stock of your life, but there are no rules to change. Take inspired action based on well thought out intentions, not a change in date.
The truth is, change can be difficult and uncomfortable, that's why we avoid it so much. There are thousands of self-help books and studies dedicated to understanding change as phenomena. None the less, every year we declare big and small changes to the world on January 1. From my experience, January 1 changes start in September; a declaration of change is preceded by a commitment to change. One of the primary mechanisms for change is commitment. Webster’s dictionary defines commitment as “the state or an instance of being obligated or emotionally impelled” (Merriam-Webster online dictionary, 2019)
Commitment does not evolve simply from a good idea, it grows out of intimate awareness. When considering the changes you want to make in your life, can you claim an intimacy of understanding that offers you a bird’s eye view? Are you aware of all the ways this issue shows up in your life currently? Are you aware of how the change you are seeking may impact seemingly unrelated areas of your life? Are you clear on your why? These are just some of the considerations you can make when getting intimate with your stuff.; that which you hope to change. Sometimes being fed up with your stuff, or sick and tired of your stuff is not enough to propel you to change. If there is no intimacy there is no understanding; if there is no understanding there is no commitment.
Whether you are in the process of getting intimate or you are standing in your commitment to change, honor your own timeline. Just consider, the “new year” is celebrated on February 5; August 30; and October 27 if you are Chinese, Muslim or Hindu. Any day can be the start to your new year. Each new day brings the opportunity to start over, recommit, or try it differently. You have the power to assign your own meaning to dates, and time periods. Give yourself permission to get out of the cycle of declaring change for the sake of the new year, and beating yourself up over the results.
Commit to change and intentional growth on your own terms, and watch what happens.
- Shesheena A. Bray, M.S.Ed
commitment. 2011. In Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved January 3, 2019, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commitment