Why New Year’s Resolutions Rarely Work
Because it’s winter.
I’m obviously speaking for the Northern Hemisphere here. I’ve never been below the Equator so I don’t know what their excuse is. But up here, it is absolutely ridiculous how many people think the middle of winter is the ideal time to make major life changes just because the Gregorian Calendar declared this to be the first day of the year.
Come on, y’all.
Why on earth would you attempt to turn over a new leaf when all of the actual leaves are dead?
They won’t be back for at least two months, probably three. Maybe even four in some places. They aren’t even sparkles in their mama trees eyes right now. Those trees are taking time off. They’re at rest. They’re enjoying the stillness, embracing the silence. Trees know what this time of year is for, and it isn’t working themselves up into frenzy over how to force themselves to better trees this year.
The animals know too. They’re hunkered down in their dens, gestating the roly-poly balls of fur that will tumble into the woods come spring. Some of them – like wolves – haven’t even bothered to breed yet. They’ll spend the dreary days of January and February having sex. Which would be my winter past-time of choice if my mate weren’t still 800 miles away…
Do you notice the pattern here?
Winter = gestation.
Spring = fruition.
Humans don’t think these rules apply us to anymore, but I think the number of failed resolutions every year proves we are dancing to the beat of nature’s rhythms whether we admit it or not. This just isn’t the optimal time to start something new and expect immediate results.
Think about it. Let’s say you’re an overweight woman who lives in Maine. Your home is buried under six feet of snow tonight, but you go ahead and promise yourself that you’re going to start eating better and exercising every day. And maybe you manage it for a couple of days. But the truth is you’re freakin’ cold. You want comfort food. You want to huddle under your Snuggie and watch The Bachelor. So you do. You put on a few more pounds, and by the time the snow melts and the weather is nice enough to go for a brisk walk, you feel like crap because you didn’t stick to your resolution. You don’t think you have any willpower. You’ve accepted the fact that you’re a Fattie a McFatFat and that’s all you’ll ever be. You go to the store, buy another bucket of ice cream, and settle back down on the couch to experience male attention vicariously through The Bachelorette. Pretty sad story, right?
But what if you gave yourself break? What if you decided to accept winter for what it is and put a big red circle around March 21? What if you made the first day of spring the first day of the year? What if you turned over a new leaf when there are actually new leaves on the trees to encourage you? What if you resolved to start exercising when it is actually pleasant to go outside? What if you resolved to start eating better when the local farmer’s market will be brimming with fresh springs greens? What if instead of pushing yourself to launch that product or e-book in February, you set the date for the first week of spring?
Our arbitrary human calendars can say what they will, but the Earth knows you can’t start the year at the end of the cycle. You have to wait for the cycle to start over again. That’s just common sense. Trees know it. Rabbits know it. Bears know it. Shouldn’t we be able to put two and two together too?
Humans are animals. That’s the whole point of this blog. Because that’s the whole point of anything. We’re just another species of animal who calls this planet home. No matter how smart we get, we can’t get away from that fact. There’s a current of instinct running through our species just like any other, and that instinct tells us that now is the time to fatten up not slim down. Now is the time to gestate, not give birth.
I’m not saying you can’t do those things. One of the nice things about being human is that we can override our instincts if we try hard enough. But just because we can, doesn’t mean we have to. If you’re not good at turning over new leaves in January, there’s nothing wrong with you. You aren’t a failure. You’re an animal.
Trust me. Whatever it is you think you need to do this year, I’d bet almost anything you’ll have more luck if you try it in the spring. There’s a reason for every season, and spring is the time for new things. Now is the perfect time for stillness and comfort and reflection.
Raam, Manu, Ken and Mirella have all written great New Year themed essays perfect for some quiet wintery reflection. And Rhina just sneak-launched a free publication called Soul: Sustainability that I can’t wait to burrow in to.
~*~
Having said all that, I must confess I spent the last twenty-four hours updating my digital presence and still have several hours to go. I brought the UE Facebook fan page back to life. I deleted my Google + profile and am starting over from scratch there soon. I’ve got a lot of work to do on my author site, and I’ve got to figure out what I want to do with Occupy The Cloud. I haven’t given Southern Gothic any love in months and I need to change that. But all of that is just preparation for exciting things to come in the spring. Feathering the nest, if you will. Stay tuned.
As someone from the Southern Hemisphere, Perth in Western Australia to be exact, it’s just too damn hot in the depths of summer to get anything done around here! All we can do is do our best to stay out of the scorching sun and so we wallow in the shallows by the river or wade in the ocean or hide inside in the air con. That’s our excuse and I stand by it
By the way, thanks so much for linking to me in your post, it was a pleasant surprise to find myself there at the end
Theres something reassuring when we say now is the time, we will make it a better year, we will make it different. Of course, follow through is harder and you’ve masterfully pointed out why.
So, I reckon we ought to just live with our noses leading the way. Follow them interests. It’ll all make sense or maybe it never will.
awesome article, chase. the point of winter = gestation feels so right. and it’s what i juzst did this year between christmas and new year: enjoying familiy life and do – nothing. first i had some bad feelings about it, because shouldn’t i make some plans?