What “New Year” stuff? You know what I mean: the resolutions, the new you, the books to make you better, the relentless optimism. It’s okay to pass on that stuff.
Did you feel that? I felt it. It was something inside me resisting the idea of NOT New Years-ing. I think that’s years of habit speaking up. Just like you would feel weird about not putting up a Christmas tree you feel weird about not promising to do a bunch of stuff that you know you have no intention on following through on.
Winter is tough for me.
Winter is a tough time for me. I am more depressed this time of year. This year, I spent the entire week between Christmas and New Year sick and, honestly, still don’t feel great. It’s cold. I want to take all the suggestions for a “new me” and those $0 signing fees at gyms and shove them down someone’s throat. (See! I’m super cheerful!) I’m just not up for it.
Remember what I said before? “It’s okay to pass on the New Year Stuff.”
In the midst of this “hard pass”, a couple of thoughts:
It’s okay for other people to do it.
There are people who are not struggling to just show up this time of year. They’re enthused about the challenge of a new year and the new things they can do with it. THAT IS OKAY. In fact, it’s awesome that they’re game for that. Encourage your friends and cheer for them as they try something new.
Still show up.
There is a big difference between passing on the pressure of resolutions and instead drinking yourself into a stupor. You still need to take care of yourself. Take a shower. Go to work. Go to lunch with someone (even if you’d rather stay at home or sit alone). Go outside for a walk. Listen to an album you love. Don’t give up on life. Show up for it.
Don’t give up.
I’m saying it again for clarity: this is not a battlecry for giving up on life. This is permission for you to cut yourself some slack in a season of life when you know you can’t carry the extra pressure. Self-improvement is worth it because YOU are worth it but growing as a person is worthless if you are not also growing in love (for yourself and others). Love yourself enough to say “later” when you need to.
Try an April New Year.
June? August? It doesn’t matter. Pick a month later in the year when you know you will be in a better headspace for some self-reflection and improvement. January isn’t a good time for you but you know that April will be. When the time comes, find one or two things you want to improve on and start when the time is right.
More than anything…
…I just want you to know that if you are struggling with all the New Year stuff and hanging on is the best you can manage: that’s okay. Me too. I see you. I care about you. God sees you. He cares about you. We’re in this together and you are not alone.