A Word on New Years, Reflections, Resolutions, & Pressure { & Read-Alongs }
Even I've contributed with my last two posts. And, to be clear, there's absolutely nothing wrong with having fun looking back over your last twelve months, rehashing your favorite pictures or memories or books. Nothing at all.
But have any of you ever felt oppressed rather than inspired by all the end-of-the-year hullabaloo? Do any of you ever feel an unpleasant expectation to summarize your time or devote a certain amount of energy or excitement to celebrating the turn of the year (or, as in this case, the turn of the decade)? Are you someone who doesn't thrive on goal-setting or resolution-making or word-picking?
Because, if so, I just wanted to let you know that that's really okay. Every single day you wake up is technically the beginning of a "new year". (And, once you make it past your tenth birthday, of a new decade.) That rather takes the pressure off the end of the calendar year, doesn't it? It does not make you a lesser or lazier person if you opt out of writing down ten ways you are going to improve your life over the next twelve months. If you want to do that, that's great; enjoy every second of it and I'll cheer you on. But if you'd rather treat the last day of December like any other old day, that's fine, too. Because, you know, depending on how you look at it, it kind of is. 😛
I don't mean to dampen anyone's enjoyment of the New Year's holiday. Maybe you love getting dressed up and going out on the town and counting down the seconds until midnight with friends you adore. That's wonderful. But maybe you love staying in and watching movies and eating food and spending a quiet night with family and not staying up till midnight. That's wonderful, too. However you celebrated last night (assuming certain boundaries of propriety and safety 😉) is enough. However you've reflected or not-reflected and resolved or not-resolved ⎼ that's enough, too.
December 31st is not a magic day. January 1st is not your only or best chance to implement changes in your life. If you don't feel like going back over your Instagram feed for a top nine, skip it. And please don't feel any guilt or doubt about it. You do you, boo. ♥
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As a reminder, the Till We Have Faces read-along starts the day after tomorrow, on January 3! Make sure you've got your copies and highlighters at the ready. 😉 Hope to see many of you join!
And thus, with Sheldon Cooper's glorious weirdness burning in your eyes, I leave you.
Well said, Olivia. All of it. I like this post very much indeed! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! :)
DeleteThem Sheldon gifs, though *giggles*
ReplyDeleteI definitely feel this. I'm excited for the new year--and I'm really proud of how I've grown in the calendar year past--but AT THIS MOMENT I don't feel compelled to make a list of all I accomplished or all I plan to accomplish. And that, as you so wisely say, is Okay.
Happy New Year, Olivia! <3
I love Sheldon. xD
DeleteAnd that's fantastic. <3
You too!!
This is actually really helpful for me right now!! I've had a lot of pressure lately, so this was a great reminder. <3
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the read-along!!
Oh, I'm so glad! <3
DeleteI was so happy to see you mark it as "currently reading" on Goodreads. :D
I feel like you read my mind on this. I've never gotten the hype around this subject and am perfectly ok with treating it like a normal day.
ReplyDeleteExactly! I mean, we have our own New Years traditions, which I do like, and I do enjoy celebrating, but just within reason. And I don't really understand the "new year, new me" mentality because I'm just like, " . . . but every day is a new year??"
DeleteI definitely agree, Olivia! <3 I've had pressure about posting something more for the New Year as well (especially after seeing so many post "year in review" posts and such, like you were saying). While I still want to do some sort of "year in review" post on my blog this month, thank you for the reminder that New Year's isn't a certain "magical" time where we MUST let everyone know of how our previous year went and what specific goals and resolutions we have for the coming one. It's not our sole duty to have to inform the world of our current status in life at the start of each New Year. You're right -- we can have a fresh start every day! EVERY DAY can be special! :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed this post a lot, Olivia, and HAPPY NEW YEAR to you!! Hope you've been doing well! <3
Just so, Faith! Happy New Year :D
DeleteI feel like if I don't plan and schedule I don't do. Now, I don't mean ultra specific, always set in stone things, I'd running screaming if that was the case, but I looked back over the last year and felt that I didn't do anything and didn't remember anything, and I don't want that to be that way this year. I want a highlight reel. I just feel like January 1 is a nice reset. But a lot of other sort of "special" days (I read that in a sort of self-help/psychology book this year) can be that way too if one falls into a slump rather easily as I do.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome. It's interesting how different people react to different approaches.
DeleteI really Appreciated this, Olivia. <3 I AM one for resolutions, goals and lists, but I do think coming from a "no stress" approach is the best way to go. It's not the end of the world if you DON'T complete all your goals, and there is no hurry to start it all on the 1st January if that doesn't work for you.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy preparation and organisation, but it's always good to balance it with gentleness and grace. :)
Absolutely! Organization works wonders for some people, and that's great. It doesn't work wonders for other people, and that's also great. ;-P
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