I Don't Believe In This.

Can we stop doing these? Please. Just. Stop.

Does the universe know what year it is? Does the pandemic?

Why must we perpetuate this inherently foolhardy ritual? Do we not have the awareness nor means of communication to shift this paradigm? Are we that powerless?

If “we’re all longing for a fresh start and an opportunity to grow”, why did we have to wait for another trip around the sun? Why did we not do this earlier? Is there a requisite duration for longing?

Why are we still doing this?!

Theory One: Empty Calories.

Does having a resolution offer any nutritional value? No... but it sure does taste good in my mouth.

I know I am not the only one who has listened to someone profess what they are going to do, and where and how and why they are going to do it…

But what the hell happened to the WHEN?! “Eventually?” “In the fall?” “As soon as they call me back?” Sorry, but if it is not happening now, I do not want to hear it.

The value is in the doing.

Theory Two: Dopamine.

We love it. We crave it. We are addicted to it.

So... when those people who tell us where, what, why and how they are going to do something and we give them a premature congratulations, their central nervous system gets a nice little hit of dopamine... and it is as if they just did the very thing they have not yet done!

And you know what? That is a pretty nifty work around.

Why do anything when you can just tell people what you plan on doing and reap the physiological rewards?! Voila!

Theory Three: Ego.

People need to know my plans. They need to know what I am gong to do because… I am important.

This is the problem that plagues society. We have live in an ecosystem that prioritizes perception; prioritizes “me.” We know this.

Why else would this challenge be posed in such a way as to focus on the individual instead of the collective?

“…whether you’re participating in Dry January or letting go of sedentary habits, we’re here to show our support with your wellness goals this year!”

For starters, how? $2,500? That’ll sure buy you a lot of alcohol. And $1,000 can get you a halfway decent recliner.

Second, would focusing on communal health and wellness not also benefit the individual? Since when does “bettering ourself” mean bettering one person?

The sooner we realize that “I” means “we”, the sooner we will no longer be discussing resolutions.

Bonus Theory: Prize Money.

Unsolicited Advice: If you had to wait for the fourth digit in a number to change for you to stop and think, “Hey, maybe I should do the same?” — you might be limiting your potential.

Change is Constant. Growth is Constant.

If we are only mindful of this every 365th and a quarter day, the only change we will find will be inside of our pockets and the only growth will be around our waists.

Extrinsic motivation burns fast. It can get you out of the starting block, but will dump your ass miles before the finish line.

Intrinsic motivation does not need a calendar. It does not want one. And it definitely does not need a challenge to get its juices flowing. It just needs a heartbeat.

Has this been a resolution? Before you decide, please consider what The Bard of Avon said about roses.

I assure you that, with a keen eye and a shift in tense, there is a resolution here to be found.

And I sincerely hope it helps.