I hope that I’m an anomaly and that I’m the only one who was completely worn out at the close of 2023. But, if you too are feeling a bit fatigued as we head into the New Year, I’m giving you permission to just take a breath, to step slowly into 2024, and especially to NOT make any resolutions.
In case you need more than my permission to avoid making resolutions, here’s an article from Fast Company that I found helpful. In it, Justin Pot tells us why January is a uniquely terrible time for self-improvement and he includes the science behind some of his reasons why. He talks about how getting back to normal after a month of holidays is ambitious enough and how the long nights and meager sunshine can slow down even the most energetic person.
So when should we make resolutions? I asked Chatgpt because it’s got access to information on the entire worldwide web. It gave me a lot of good information, but here’s what it boiled down to:
Ultimately, the best time to make resolutions is when you feel ready and motivated to commit to positive changes in your life. Setting realistic and achievable goals, regardless of the time of year, can contribute to a successful resolution. Additionally, the process of behavior change is complex, and setbacks are a natural part of it. Regular self-reflection, adaptation of goals, and learning from experiences are crucial aspects of a successful resolution journey.
With that, I’m headed out for a walk with my cat because I need a little quiet time.
Happy New Year and thanks for reading,
Kathy
