We make decisions everyday, both consciously and subconsciously, from accepting a job offer to getting out of bed in the morning to go to that job. In a very similar manner, we also make promises to ourselves and others consciously and subconsciously. At the end of every year, there often comes a special time when we reflect on the year that had passed and make a few promises, commonly known as resolutions, to ourselves about the upcoming new year.
Media via GIPHY
The controversy behind the saying “promises are meant to be broken” is not the issue at hand. The reality is that promises can be broken and that is a fact we all are likely to agree on. Some New Year’s resolutions may be, “I am going to lose weight” or “I will travel to new places.”
However, we often make many New Year’s resolutions subconsciously. We may not even think of these promises as resolutions, but they are indeed embedded in us. Here are some commonly broken new year’s resolutions that no one likes to admit.
Media via GIPHY
“This year, I will improve myself.”
Photo via Pixabay
This one’s for anyone who wants a fresh start, who thinks that there is always room for improvement, or who wants to be the best version of themselves. Here is the thing though; this type of promise is quite vague. Most of the time, we set our standards so high that failure might just be inevitable. It is good to keep working on you but make sure it is coming out of a place of love for yourself, not out of a place of not feeling good enough. You are enough, always.
Media via GIPHY
“This year, I will start doing things for me.”
This one is for those who have been disappointed by someone; whether by a friend, a family member or an intimate partner. It happens, unfortunately.
Photo by Ulrike Mai
You get disappointed, or someone does not appreciate the things you do for them, and so you tell yourself that from now on, you will focus only on you and doing things for you. The pitfall we fall into sometimes is that it is a little bit impossible to focus only on you. We have interactions with others almost everyday. Also, there is nothing wrong with doing things for other people.The most important focus is on your intentions behind the doing. Do things because you want to, not because you expect something back. If the efforts you invest in a relationship can give you a good outcome, so be it. If there are bad or no outcome, so be it as well. Nothing goes to waste; I can promise you that! Life is a learning process full of lessons!
“This year, I will not let my past define me.”
Photo via Pixabay
Sometimes, hard times and mistakes can be inevitable. Once we get back on our feet, we never want to look back at what is in the past. We want to move on and carry on with what life brings to our doorstep everyday which is great. However, a part of moving on is facing the monster under your bed. Making amends with your experiences and your “old” self is very important. Everything you have been through makes you who you are right now as you are reading this article. Be proud of what you have been through and how that has contributed to who you are today.
Media via GIPHY
As the countdown begins for the new year, there is one last thing I would like to say to you…
Media via GIPHY