New Year. New You

Ah yes, New Years Resolutions, the things we swear to change about ourselves but seemingly fail to do. You ever wonder why gyms have cheap memberships this time of year? Because people tell themselves that this is the year they’re going to get in shape and kick the junk food. They buy the membership and hit the gym twice. One thing leads to another and all of the sudden they are sitting on the couch in February, eating Doritos, drinking a Pepsi and watching an ad for Anytime Fitness.

“Oh yeah… I should really cancel that membership.”

We have the best of intentions to usher in change and then ultimately usher change out. According to Body and Soul, most resolutions have failed by January 12. Why is this the case? Because the changes we often want to make don’t accurately reflect who we are as people.

We have certain things that make us tick, our own set of unwritten rules we follow. If your strong suit is working with your hands, then you may struggle with a resolution that involves reading fifty books. Likewise, if you’re the type of person who is an avid reader, then handcrafting a shed for your family may be an uphill battle. Why? Because you’re overestimating yourself and your abilities.

Have you ever watched a toddler try and walk? The toddler isn’t focused on running, the first work on that initial small step. The same goes for how we should act as people. If your resolution is something you have never done before, then don’t set your goal to something outrageous.

Going back to our gym example, your first goal shouldn’t be to get in shape. You first need to become a frequent resident at the gym. Not much of reader? Get in the habitat of reading before you set your eyes on reading fifty books. When we try and force some brand new skill into our lives too quickly, we end up wasting our time.

If you feel like you are wasting your time, then realize you may be biting off more than you can chew. So often in society, we’re pumped full of this idea we have to be great at everything we do immediately. Which is an incredible lie. We are not capable of being good at everything our first time. Everyone was a beginner at some point and that’s ok. In fact, it’s great! If we were all good at everything on “go” then life would be as bland as vanilla pudding. There would be no challenge, no adventure, and no reward.

I pray 2019 is your year. Strive towards your resolution, if it doesn’t work, then adjust your sights. Don’t ever be afraid to take small steps at first. Because those small steps can lead to an incredible reward.

Go Get Em,

Chandler Jahner

2018-2019 SC State Vice-President