I’ve been reticent to write anything to usher in 2015. I took a break over the holidays and rather enjoyed being more lurker than sharer. The new year holds such promise, yet I crumble under the pressure such promise brings. There is so much to live up to, and as it is, I don’t feel I’ve amounted to the kinetic promise credited to me in my youth. But that’s another story.
I said earlier that my word for 2015 is ME.
I’ve started second guessing that, and it’s only the first week of the new year. Is self care selfish? Mothers are martyrs all too often, and I’ve admittedly fallen into that trap, I suppose. Is focusing on ME an honorable way to ring on the new year? It just feels unsavory. There’s so much I want to accomplish this year. 2014 was a waste, with my arm surgery and all. I was out of commission for much of the year, and a brain and body left dormant wreak havoc on a girl’s psyche.
I stink at writing down goals because I focus on missing the mark. If I write it down I must commit and what do I do when I fail? See, I said “when,” not “if.” Negative self talk is a rotten GPS. More of ME in 2015 was supposed to change all that. I crumble too easily. This is one of many reasons I don’t set new year resolutions.
Of note is the negativity that surrounds resolutions (mine included). Everyone focuses on what they are giving up. Butter. Sugar. Caffeine. Gluten. Wine. In a nutshell, all the indulgences that make me happy. I don’t give up any of that stuff, for the record. In the first few weeks of every new year people are crabby and complaining because of aforementioned sacrifices. I propose we turn these resolutions upside down and think about what to embrace instead of what to get rid of. Language is key here. “I’m going to fuel my body with healthy choices” is more palatable and positive than “I’m giving up sugar.” Can we simply change the paradigm to focus on what we will give to the Universe instead of what we will give up? How can we take action to be better to each other…and to ourselves?
Looks like my year of ME is a pretty good start.