Like many people as the clocks struck 12. As Jools sang at his hootenanny. As the fireworks cast a glow. As strangers kissed. The beginning of 2016. I too mentally began to think about what I’d change this year. I too like many people found myself annoyed as I failed a few days later. I fell of the self-love writing blog that I’d promised to commit to after only a few days.
At the same time I smile and feel part of the ‘trying’ crowd as I see various posts on Facebook confirming that I’m not the only ‘failure’. Most are friends attempting ‘dry’ January. Within days of hopeful tee total promises and fruit tea drinking there are cheery photos with plum coloured wine glistening in large glasses scattering my timeline. ‘Well it is a Friday’ says one. Some are back on the cigarettes. Others are bathing themselves in their forbidden chocolate. Some already know the money they spent on gym membership may as well have been spent on the wine they’re going to drink any way.
I know why they don’t work. I think. It’s simple. We are forcing something on ourselves. Unless you want to do it. You won’t. Smoking, drinking , eating, exercise. If you don’t really want to. It’s not going to happen long-term. You’ve got to want it.
I found forcing myself to write every day made it feel like a job instead of something I love. So I stopped. I berated myself and felt like I’d let others down but I got over it after a day or so. I then felt relieved.
Instead what I’ve decided to do this year is to have a ‘theme’. This year it’ll be creativity. Not only do I want to write here I want to write more. I want to make all the cards that I’ll send. I want to cook new things and make ‘stuff’. I might knit or crochet or sew. I’m going to read more so my mind becomes more creative. A theme seems a much better way to approach the new year. It has ambiguous potential without pressure to perform.
So whatever you decide for 2016 whether it be to change nothing, to change something, or perhaps even to take on your own theme…do it with passion, don’t be hard on yourself if it doesn’t work out, try something else or just accept who you wonderfully are in the first place.
Happy 2016. I’m off to have a Sauvignon. Cheers x
Dear Ms. 
I completely agree, New Year’s resolutions are doomed to failure before you even start. Why is it that the New Year has some kind of mystical power to change something about yourself? Only you can do that and you ought to start as soon as you decide to make that change, not wait for some magical day. I made a decision in November to focus more on my blog. I started straight away with small changes rather than a massive tasks straight away. It’s working for me so far!
Good luck in your quest to become more creative.
I think with the right motivation New years goals can be achieved. If you really want to change its possible. But I think to really change you must start with habits