Resolutions? Bah Humbug

A thought from the resolution procrastinator himself Brian Sankarsingh

Ah, the dawn of a new year—a time for fresh beginnings, renewed hope, and, of course, the infamous New Year's resolutions. Every January 1st, millions of people around the world embark on a journey of self-improvement, armed with a list of lofty goals that often crumble faster than a cookie in a toddler's hands. As the clock strikes midnight, the air is filled with the intoxicating scent of possibility. Gym memberships soar, salad sales skyrocket, and planners fly off the shelves. Fast forward a few weeks, and the gym gets eerily quiet, salad bars become ghost towns and comfort food makes a comeback, whilst the best laid plans lay gathering dust. The initial enthusiasm is like a firework—bright and explosive but short-lived.

There's something inherently comical about the way we approach resolutions with an all-or-nothing mindset. Want to get fit? Suddenly, the expectation is to morph into a gym aficionado overnight. Planning to read more? Well, better finish those ten books by the end of January. It's as if moderation took a vacation. This attitude – more often than not - leaves behind a trail of shattered resolutions.

This is mainly because for many of us, resolutions often carry the weight of perfection, creating a culture of unrealistic expectations. Whether it's shedding pounds, learning a new language, or picking up a hobby, the pressure to flawlessly execute these goals can turn a well-intentioned resolution into a source of stress. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day, and your resolution doesn't have to be either. Life, much like a surprise plot twist in a comedy film, has a knack for throwing unexpected curveballs. A resolution to travel the world might clash with a sudden work commitment, and that vow to save money could face a formidable opponent in the form of an irresistible sale. It's almost as if the universe conspires against our well-intentioned plans, leaving us to wonder at the absurdity of it all.

Conversely, motivation, that fickle friend, tends to peak at the beginning of the year and then gradually wanes, disappearing like a bad magician's trick. What once seemed like an exhilarating challenge becomes a mundane task, and suddenly, that resolution to learn the guitar transforms into a dusty instrument in the corner of the room. The silliness of New Year's resolutions lies not in the aspirations themselves, but in the way we approach them. Perhaps, instead of setting grandiose goals for 2024, we could embrace the idea of continuous improvement, allowing room for flexibility, humor, and a healthy dose of self-compassion. After all, life's journey is a rollercoaster, and laughter is the best seatbelt to fasten as we navigate the twists and turns.

Happy New Year to you and your family from the Seeking Veritas family

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Bio: Brian Sankarsingh is a Trinidadian-born Canadian immigrant who moved to Canada in the 1980s. He describes himself as an accidental poet, with a passion for advocacy and a penchant for prose, an unapologetic style, he offers his poetry as social and political commentary.