“Yes! Next year I’ll go to the gym at least 3 days per week”, “I will stop smoking! I’m smoking too much and my health is in danger!”, “I will learn a language this year! I’ll dedicate more time to it.”
Probably, some of these phrases will sound familiar to you. Yes, all of them and some more not included were promises to ourselves or "nyttårsforsetter" that we made at the end of 2007. We felt this during Christmas time and our hearts were determined to start and to see it through 2008.
But hey, it’s February and what has happened? Most of these promises disappeared like magic as quickly as we made them. A friend of mine had vowed to stop smoking. Well, it worked for 2 weeks as he wrestled his cravings to the ground and emerged victorious. But then his mind,body and soul switched camp and his strength caved in. “well, if I smoke only 1 or 2 sticks per day, it's not too bad”.
I am also guilty. I had pledged to gym my body into shape at least twice a week. I have my gym card but I have only been to the gym two times. I have turned into a "paid member" as opposed to a "paid user" easing my conscience with my standard excuse that time is limited and I have more important things to do. That is what we usually do rather than face reality. Yes, we all need to justify everything we do, it can be incredible, but we’re only human, and that's how we work.
But, after everything, you know what? The worst thing of all is that we can lie to ourselves! Yes, it can be comforting. But do we need to lie to ourselves, is it necessary? I'll put that down to the complexities of human behaviour, the need to lie, make excuses and be in denial.
Of course, I’m not saying that anyone with resolutions have broken them. Good for you if you are still fighting to fulfil yours! But we have to recognize that it’s not easy to keep the promises you made while sipping champagne and eating dinner with your family or friends. Would you sign any contract in these conditions? Sincerely, I wouldn’t!
So, my suggestion to everyone (including my humble self) is to do whatever you want, when you want or when you are absolutely ready for it. Don’t wait for the end of the year to "start a new life". If you make resolutions, make realistic ones, otherwise don't bother. Think about these things everyday when you wake up and try to take everything into consideration.
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