Waltz With Me Into the New Year

Image credit: 931527, pixabay, CCO public domain

I have a bad habit of hyper-resolutioning this time of year. You know what I mean; setting unreasonably high goals for yourself that no one but Jesus could reach. Inevitably the weight of all those resolutions ends up crushing me within the first few months and I’m right back where I started.

I don’t think I’m the only one who’s a victim of hyper-resolutioning. In fact, statistics are on my side. According to the Statistics Brain Research Institute only 8% of people who make resolutions actually achieve them. Twenty-four percent fail completely and the rest have intermittent success. So, why do we keep trying year to year to make changes and set goals? Again according to the Statistic Brain Research Institute, “People who explicitly make resolutions are 10 times more likely to attain their goals than people who don't explicitly make resolutions.” So, we keep trying each year to improve ourselves in some way because we just might achieve them this time.

Instead of my usual list of overly ambitious resolutions, this year I’m going to focus on small changes one at a time. In fact, I’m going to focus on one thing at a time for three weeks. Then I’ll shift to another resolution. I’ll call it the Resolution Waltz- 1,2,3…1,2,3,…1,2,3,..

Water, two, three…

I’m starting simply with healthy habits that I used to have and need to reestablish. The first is Water. For the first few weeks of 2016, my focus is on drinking water-60 ounces to be exact. I need to drink more water for lots of reasons and I find it hard to do in the winter time when it’s cold outside. I’d much rather have a cup of coffee, cocoa, or hot cider to keep warm than a glass of water. But, I know how much better I feel when I drink it AND how much less I eat too.

Fruit, two, three…

Next, I’m going to focus on eating one piece of fruit each day. Not only do I need the fiber but I need the vitamins to keep my immune system strong during cold and flu season. Sounds simple, right? That’s the idea. Simple, easy, and attainable are what I’m going for. To help myself, I’m going to write my three-week goals on my calendar to keep me on track. I highly recommend that you do the same. OR you could set up a daily reminder on your phone or PC.

Lent, two, three…

It’s hard to believe but Lent is only 6 weeks away. So, after only two resolutions are achieved (I’m thinking positive, people), it will be time to think about the Lenten fast. I’m considering giving up foods with added sugar but that would be really hard for me so I need to think about that. But, there are lots of ways to fast during Lent that have nothing to do with food. You can fast from media and TV, new purchases, your favorite fancy coffee drink, the list could go on forever. One year, I fasted from makeup on Fridays to help combat my vanity. It was hard but it was somewhat freeing as well as a learning experience.

So, what do you think? Would care to join me in my Resolution Waltz? I’d love to hear what your focus is for the first three-week dance.

Copyright 2016 Laura B Nelson
Image credit: 931527, pixabay, CCO public domain