The part that takes up the most part of my skull-located squishy human hard drive, is the New Year's Resolution List Writing Task. I've been trying to work out why we all dread it, and why we view the process as less of a personal to-do list, and more as a pressure-filled list of unattainable goals, that we know deep down we'll never quite achieve (just like regularly cleaning out the garage, or attempting to not refresh BuzzFeed every five minutes). And I'm pretty sure I've found an explanation.
At the end of every year, we're all too quick to remember the things we didn't achieve, the hard times, and the stuff we'd rather forget. We then hurriedly write the current year off, and start wishing for the the next few weeks to fly by, so we have a date (January 1st) from which to start afresh. That's a lot of pressure on poor ol' January 1st.
Why the hell don't we all make a massive list of the things we DID achieve this year? Why are our achievements and successes so readily forgotten, and replaced at light-speed by our new list of demands on our minds, bodies, and emotions? That kind of thinking just sullies our festive season, and plunges us into a very un-merry Funkmas.
So, with one more week before Saint Nick's trip, here's your homework. Before you even THINK about what your New Year's Resolutions are going to be, make a list of The Year That's Happening Right Now's achievements, successes, and good times. Having that list staring you in the face will impact your resolutions-to-be, and will hopefully help you be less hard on yourself, and more proud of your hard work over the last twelve months. If you write your resolutions with your successes in mind, rather that your short-comings, those lofty goals of yours will be easier to achieve than you think!
Well, go on then! It'll only take a few minutes. For best results, complete while chomping on a candy cane!
xxxx
