Just like Christmas, New Year's can be a very difficult time. Some people are able to make resolutions, develop new plans, and feel as though they have started the year anew. Others think back over the past year and ruminate on their failures. They don't feel like there is a point in making resolutions or plans because they will just fail anyway.
I'm somewhere in-between these two ends of the spectrum. I feel like the dawn of a new year is an opportunity for change, for a fresh start. But at the same time, I realize that the change on the calendar from 2011 to 2012 isn't magical, it's just a new day, just like any other new day.
So as we enter 2012, I will try not to focus on my failures in 2011, and instead focus on the positives. I haven't set any resolutions yet and am not sure what resolutions to set. But maybe I don't need resolutions. Maybe I need to just greet a new day, full of possibilities.
All I can wonder about is what more life could throw at me. Maybe this year will bring some relief?
ReplyDeleteThe hard thing with new years is that while it is a natural time to make changes or evaluate life, there can be too much pressure, and we end up making resolutions we aren't ready for in our life. Remember that you can make changes at any point in the year, and just because it isn't starting on Jan 1st doesn't mean it isn't significant!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth - I hear you! I hope 2012 brings you some relief :-)
ReplyDeleteCounselor Musings - exactly!
Don't look at this year as structured, expect the unexpected and just be optimistic about life!
ReplyDeleteTake time to focus on yourself positively :)
I'm trying hard to not focus on the negs of 2011 too. Have been making myself read the daily emails www.bravegirlsclub.com as an inspiration to keep going at the moment.
ReplyDeleteAm with you girl xxx
I also need to try to focus on the positive.. Life is truly too short to concentrate on anything else.. I hope 2012 brings you many wonderful things..
ReplyDeleteLast year, I felt very disappointed and down with myself, that I had achieved very little. I reeled off to a friend, all the good things my husband, son and especially young daughter, with depression had achieved and how glad I was that they had got through such a good year when mine had been so difficult. And that was when she said, but surely, supporting your family, seeing what they have done that they are healthy and happy is the best achievement of all. It is not about what you can say you did,it is about what you can see you have achieved to your family. And so was so right, I just couldn't see it myself.
ReplyDeleteOne day at a time Jamie :-)
I resolve to try new things to get rid of this depression! First on the list... light box therapy. A happier New Year to you Jamie :-)
ReplyDeleteMolly
I, too, have resolved to not focus on the negatives of the past year. Instead I want to focus on all that I've learned and on the progress I'm making. I hope this year goes very well for you. :)
ReplyDeleteI love your attitude. Every day is a new day. I'm doing that, too. Every day is new. And I'm tossing out old crud, too. I just sold and old pickup that was in my driveway and really getting on my nerves. Can't tell you how good that felt.
ReplyDeleteJamie, you absolutely have the right idea! Setting a "New Year's Resolution" or any resolution, just for the sake of setting a resolution is a waste of time and effort! When and if you find something you are committed to undertaking, that is the time to set a resolution and then you will see yourself achieve it. Setting a New Year's Resolution is something that many do without a great deal of forethought and planning. The word 'resolution' itself means that you have resolved or determined to do something. As such, it is important to really evaluate what it is that we are determined to do and that doesn't mean it needs to be something big, just something you are committed to seeing through, no matter what challenges or obstacles stand in your way. For me that means I am not going to drink pop this week. Seems quite simple, but for me it is huge. I love pop, I crave pop, indeed I want pop. I am, however, diabetic and have been for more than 10 years. In the past, my family has always pushed me to drink water and avoid pop. Problem, I hate water and THAT was their goal for me, not my own. This year I am doing it for myself. One week at a time! I know that success is built upon success. Today is four days of success, tomorrow will be five. At the end of the week I can look back and say I did it, re-evaluate the resolution and decide, "Am I absolutely committed to doing this again?" If I am I will renew my resolution for another week and I will succeed, because I will have determined that failure is not an option, I will have resolved to do it or I will not undertake the endeavour to begin with! Then the next time I want to set a resolution, I will look back on my previous resolution with the knowledge that I can do whatever I set my mind to doing and I will go through the evaluation process again, determine my commitment and set or not set a resolution accordingly. What we often forget is that we all took baby steps before we walked, and walked before we ran and in the process we all took our tumbles, but we did not let that stop us! Make a resolution or don't, but if you do, make sure it is something you have thought through and are committed to. Set yourself up to succeed and you will see more successes which will in turn improve your outlook on life and ultimately your depression.
ReplyDeleteOnly thing I’ve found that has helped significantly with CFS/depression etc, is coconut oil with fermented foods such as coconut kefir, sauerkraut, and possibly Kombucha tea (just came across this but haven’t tried it yet). Lots of info on the net about making your own ferments. Very simple to do, cheap, and beneficial in my experience. Nothing else has helped, and I’ve literally tried everything and spend thousands of dollars.
ReplyDeleteBelieve or not, for now, fermented food has literally cured my depression! ( :