It’s so easy this time of year to hop onto social media and think that everyone around us has it all together. People have picked out inspirational words for the year and have goals and aspirations to lose an absurd amount of weight or to get in the best shape of their life. Or to become a millionaire at the age of 22. Or to completely shed the former version of themselves and become who they were always meant to be. By December. This is the year!
They say the typical person gives up on their New Year’s Resolution by mid-January, so why do we continue to buy into the hype? Why do we ignore who we know ourselves to actually be, in order to jump on this bandwagon year after year?
All the Hope
There’s something about going along with the crowd. And who can argue when the crowd is encouraging you to be your best self yet? But I think at the core, we love the hope that a new year brings. The hope that we could be even a slightly better version of ourselves than we are today. The hope that we could start that new habit, or change that one we know is holding us back from stepping into our full potential. The hope that with the motivation of the crowd around us, we can finally take that step of faith — into whatever is next.
The hope is good. This New Year Motivation can be helpful if we use it in the right way. Not the — my life if going to change completely and I’ll be a whole new version of myself in a few months way — but the small habits and changes over time make a big impact kind of way.
Maybe some of us are the big change people. If that’s you — go get it! But if you are feeling paralyzed or wondering what this year may have for you (without a lovely word to live into yet), the invitation to slow and small is for you.
Small Changes over Time
Instead of the big grand declaration, try one small change at a time. Want to run a marathon? Go for ONE run. Then try it again sometime. Want to eat healthier? Make ONE healthy breakfast. If you enjoy it, make it again tomorrow. Want to have a less stressful semester? Practice saying no to ONE thing. Just one. Then try it again next week.
The small choices we make over time, help us become who we are. It’s not rocket science — it’s just simple, small, seemingly insignificant decisions over and over. That one run we go on today, turns into another tomorrow. And 3 more next week. After a 5 mile run, 10 doesn’t seem so crazy. 10 miles is basically your training for a 1/2 marathon. And there you go. 1/2 way to running a marathon. (I’m obviously simplifying this and am clearly not an active runner) But it starts with one run.
If you are feeling paralyzed or wondering what this year may have for you (without a lovely word to live into yet), the invitation to slow and small is for you.
Progress not Perfection
This isn’t the glamorous, instagram-worthy way. But this is the way to lasting change. Small things repeated over time. It’s how anything worthy is built. And while you’re at it — throw away your perfectionistic mindset that you must do something perfectly every single day in order to keep up a habit. You’ll miss days. You’ll oversleep or get sick or have an off day or month. That is life. You have to have grace for yourself. But instead of throwing it out when you miss a day or two, pick it back up. Maybe it’s been a while and you feel rusty again. That’s okay. Progress does not equal perfection. Every day making a small change is progress. No matter how small the change.
Think about the type of person you want to be. One small change today is one step towards being that person. You won’t wake up that person tomorrow. Maybe not even next month. But one day, you will realize that the one small change you made, is now just a part of who you are. Maybe with no fanfare or instagram post. But with the joy that comes from building something intentionally over time.
Resources
One of my favorite books on this subject is Atomic Habits by James Clear. If you haven’t read it already, or if it’s been a while, pick up a copy today. You can also gather more of his wisdom at his website or by signing up for his weekly newsletter. And while you’re at it, sign up for the Simple College newsletter as well for all things simplicity and college life.
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