“Are you going to yoga Saturday?” my husband asked, hoping to finalize our plans for the weekend.
“Yeah,” I said, eagerly anticipating 75 minutes of exercise, and peace. And then I saw the date, and realized Saturday is January 3, mere days into the phenomenon that results in long lines and crowds at gyms and studios for several weeks.
That’s right, I’m talking about New Year’s resolution season.
Last year, as a rookie in the yoga world, I learned that if you wanted to attend a class in January, you had to arrive 30 minutes early — and be willing to contend with having zero personal space. The time I had previously carved out for some much-needed centering (and back stretches) was being spent dodging people who were situated inches away from me. When it was over, I didn’t feel refreshed; I felt like a sardine.
I took a 3-week reprieve, hoping that by February, things would start to return to normal. They did, and I have a feeling this year will be no different. Every inch of floor space in my studio will be occupied by people who have made a brief pledge to get in shape, simply because it’s a new calendar year. Come Groundhog Day, they’ll be gone, and I’ll be ecstatic.
I roll my eyes just thinking about it.
You see, I’m not a big fan of New Year’s resolutions. In fact, I find them to be futile, vain, and annoying. I’ve always believed that anyone who is truly willing and able to implement positive change will just do it; they won’t wait until January 1, and they won’t find the need to brag about their plan to avoid all carbs after the ball drops in Times Square.
New Year’s resolutions, I believe, are all talk.
That being said, I certainly see the value in wanting to turn over a new leaf, and if a new year provides the motivation people need to make a change, then so be it. My gripe lies in the fact that so many of these promises turn out to be as empty as a yoga studio in July. So if you’re thinking about going the resolution route, I commend your drive, but I ask that you consider a few suggestions.
- Don’t go big. Setting a goal you have no intention or ability to achieve serves no purpose. Avoid absolutes like “I’m giving up sugar/caffeine/dairy,” and instead slowly wean yourself off of it, or merely cut down on your intake.
- Hold yourself accountable. Don’t just pledge to run a marathon or climb a mountain. Sign up for it, get a friend to accompany you, and pay the deposit. That way, it’s not so easy to go back on your word.
- Step out of your comfort zone… but not too far out. For example, don’t say you’ll become a gourmet chef if you’ve never boiled water, or don’t take up knitting if you’ve never sat still for more than 20 seconds at a time. Instead, try expanding on activities you already enjoy — if you like to walk, sign up for a 5K. If you enjoy wine, find a tasting class.
- Think positive. Resolutions tend to focus on negative behaviors, which, I believe, is one of the biggest reasons why they fail. Instead of concentrating on what you need to fix, vow to make small, positive improvements in your life by doing volunteer work, planting flowers, or getting in touch with a long-lost friend.
- Make it meaningful. Pledge to spend more time with your children or take steps toward a healthier work-life balance, maybe by establishing a Saturday activity with your family or planning date nights with your significant other.
Remember, a resolution doesn’t have to be earth-shattering, but it does have to matter — that is, if you intend to keep it.
And if you do, you might even make me a believer.
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