Happy New Year, friends! I hope everyone enjoyed celebrating the close of 2013 last night and the start of your New Year was happy and fun! I always face a new year with a mixture of both melancholy and anticipation. Melancholy, because it seems so impossible to believe yet another year has passed. That quickly, however, fades into anticipation of the year ahead, with all of its hopes, possibilities and dreams. Do you make resolutions for the new year? I am, once again, moving with conviction into a happy 2014 and another year of no resolutions!
On New Year’s Day, 2013 – when I was a straight-up, fledgling blogger, as opposed to the semi-fledgling one I am now ? – I wrote about re-branding and re-positioning the concept of resolutions. I still stand firmly behind that idea! In case you missed last year’s post, some of my arguments for the whole no resolution concept remain the very same.
I ‘ll bet I’m not alone in my feelings about resolutions. For years, I made all kinds of them, always with the best intentions. I’ll do this, do that, I RESOLVED….and to be perfectly candid, most, if not all, barely saw the light of January 31 – if that! The start of a new year should be buoyant, light and and alive with potential.
Webster’s defines resolution as:
- the act or process of resolving:
- the act of analyzing a complex notion into simpler ones
- the act of answering : solving
- the act of determining
- the passing of a voice part from a dissonant to a consonant tone or the progression of a chord from dissonance to consonance….
Seriously – I’m not certain how you feel about it, but those definitions sound like a VERY heavy and burdensome weight to carry into a fresh, new year. What do you think?
Last year, instead of resolutions, I went with aspirations and dreams. I like the word aspiration– a strong desire to achieve something high or great – which seems to me to be joyful and full of hope. Anyway, aspiration is a much more beautiful word to say and just feels lighter, whereas resolution feels like a big old weight.
Let’s not lug the burden of heavy resolutions into 2014 and instead, create aspirations and dreams for ourselves and those we love. Take a box, or a jar, (I made this one last year) or whatever is handy. Make little slips of paper and write your aspirations and dreams for 2014 on them. No using the words “ I will”, “I won’t”, or anything heavy. Try…
- I wish….
- I dream…
- I’ll try….
- I hope…
This morning, I was reading the little slips I wrote for 2013. I was amazed that I was actually able to turn a few of those aspirations into reality last year! I suspect that would not have the case had I made resolutions instead.
I’d love to hear what you think! Are you a die-hard fan of resolutions? What do you think of re-branding the whole resolution concept?
Speaking of 2014 – I’m excited for the new year on the blog! I’m planning lots of crafts and even more recipes this year. I can’t wait for our first Best of the Weekend party of 2014 this Friday. Speaking of Fridays, this year, Fridays are going to a little bit different. Sometimes we’ll have Flashback Friday but it’s really going to be anything goes on Friday! The blog is for you – so what what you like to see more of at Little Miss Celebration? More crafts? More recipes? Something else? Please let me know, friends, because I am totally listening! ?
I hope your very first day of this bright, wonderful New Year is filled with happiness that lasts throughout 2014! Oh, and stop over and visit our Facebook page today, there will be a little bit of fun going on today!
I like your concept of re-branding resolutions Cindy! I just read Gail’s post at My Repurposed Life and she talked about a word for the year – another great idea. Anyhow, I just like to think of it as a fresh start where we don’t let past mistakes or shortcomings hold us back anymore! Happy New Year to you!
Thanks, Krista! You are so right – yesterday is just that and it should in no way impede our progress or what we want to do or be today! Happy New Year to you, too, my friend, and looking forward to a great 2014!
I ditched resolutions a few years ago and haven’t looked back. It was so freeing.
I did adopt the one word 365 this year and my word is love. I want to keep love in my heart and mind so that my love walk will grow. Happy New Year, Cindy!! Great post!
Alli, thank you so much and Happy New Year to you as well! Love is by far something we all need to keep in our hearts and minds, especially so we can share it and spread it to others! ? Thank you for your friendship and looking forward to all that the year will bring!
Happy New Year Cindy!
I don’t do resolutions, never have and no sense in starting now. I’m always trying to improve myself so that’s a commitment I have with myself throughout every year. I do like your idea of aspirations and dreams though.
I wish happiness, healthiness and many blessings for you and your family!
Angie, happy New Year to you, too! I think the focus on always improving is fantastic!! ? I hope you and your family had a great holiday and wishing you all things wonderful in the New Year. Thank you for your friendship and support!
I love this take on resolutions, Cindy! I agree that resolutions can lead to unnecessary pressure and disappointment. Coming up with dreams and aspirations for the year sounds so much better! Thanks for the inspiration…wishing you all the best in 2014, and I’m so happy to have “met” you in 2013. ?
Samantha, I totally agree – I always disappoint myself with resolutions! I, too, am so happy that we met last year and look forward to a whole new year of friendship and fun!
haha.. love your convictions Cindy and the Webster dictionary definition. ? I agree with you, the whole resolutions thing can definitely be burdensome. We usually just set goals or aspirations in our house. I think it all depends on your mindset going into those things and not feeling like a failure if they aren’t met. ?
Krista, I totally agree – it’s important never to feel like you are failing at something but accomplishing something, however small. I’m always guilty of taking on more than I can realistically do but doing anyway, lol. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this – I love hearing it! Have a wonderful weekend, my friend!