Could there be deeper reasoning as to why the collective and cliché New Year motivation feels unnatural? That drumming up life-changing resolutions in the dead of winter just may be a bit forced?
I believe so (and this is coming from a health coach who helps clients achieve lasting results). Watch the below YouTube video or keep reading to learn why.
We can learn a lot from history. You may or may not know that January 1st was not always recognized as the official new year. In fact, for thousands of years, cultures embraced a different time of year to welcome a new start.
The History Behind New Year’s Day
While Julius Caesar was in power in 46 BCE, the emperor instituted January 1st as the first day of the year, in part, to honor Janus the Roman god of beginnings with the introduction of the Julian calendar.
Many years later in 1582 AD, a closely related calendar, the Gregorian calendar, was introduced by Pope Gregory the XIII, which reestablished January 1st as New Year’s Day.
In another part of the world, there is the Chinese New Year which is an entirely different day! Since Chinese New Year is based on a lunar calendar, it could fall anywhere between January 21st and February 21st.
The earliest record of New Year celebrations were around 2000 BCE in Mesopotamia, which was recognized at the vernal equinox – when day and night are of equal length, at the end of March.
With a trip back in history and a glimpse at cultures around the world, if Julius Caesar and Pope Gregory the XIII’s idea of a fresh start isn’t resonating with you, I completely understand. You may be more in rhythm with Mother earth, the sun, the moon, and the stars than you originally thought – and that’s a good thing.
The important thing is to have an awareness of what is in alignment and feels good to you.
Does Science Tell Us Anything About Failed New Year’s Resolutions?
Many of us have tried New Year’s resolutions and even though we have the best of intentions, end up failing. Why is that?
We have to instantaneously change who we are, to be “the person” who achieves that ideal weight, that career, that amount of money, or whatever it is that you desire. We would have to suddenly embrace the day-in and day-out habits of a person who resolves to achieve that goal.
For example, you may want to become a millionaire – “This year, I’m going to make 7 figures.”
But, have you given thought to what a millionaire’s habits, routines, and behaviors are that paved the way to achieve millionaire status? The same is true for achieving the “ideal weight”.
This is not to mention, achieving lasting results – building habits that consistently stand the test of time.
You have to embody or become first, what it is that you want, before the goal is ever realized.
There may be numerous steps and a lot of time, obstacles, and challenges involved prior to accomplishing that achievement as well.
Does this happen at the strike of midnight on January 1st – suddenly you become this person? That’s a lot of pressure!
There is an unfair expectation that some massive change is supposed to take place that will magically motivate us to change.
This year, it’s going to be different!
In order to create change, we have to do something different than what we have been doing all along. It most likely requires an adequate amount of ongoing discomfort as well, but we, however, are creatures of comfort. Going outside of our comfort zone is unnatural because it poses uncertainty, stress, and even anxiety. Most of us stay in our comfort zone, which is not a good benchmark.
Studies over the years show that people who set New Year’s goals don’t actually meet them. Of the 41% of Americans who make New Year’s resolutions, only 9% were successful in keeping them.
Research has even predicted which day you will quit your New Year’s resolution(s). An online exercise company documented over 800 million user-logged activities in 2019 and found most people threw in the towel on January 19th, which was appropriately coined “Quitter’s Day”.
Oftentimes, we need guidance or coaching to understand what steps are needed in order to achieve a goal we’ve never accomplished before, like lasting weight loss. If you haven’t been able to accomplish a goal on your own, it may be time to consider working with a coach who specializes in the body’s natural rhythms, mindset, nutrition, and the science behind positive habit formation. If the dead of winter is not an inspiring time to create a “fresh start” (I’m partial to spring myself), then what is the winter season actually calling you to do?
What is the Winter Season Calling You To Do?
Here are a list of ideas and healthy activities that may resonate during the winter months:
- slowing down
- going inward
- resting
- relaxation
- focusing on inner healing
- quiet time
- reflection
- devoting yourself to spirituality
- honing your intuition
- journaling
- self-care; nourishing oneself
- organizing your home
- creating a sanctuary for yourself; a place to recharge
- find connection to self
- meditate
- reading
- crafting
- creating
- dream & visualize – start drafting ideas of what could be or what you envision for yourself.
- vision boarding
There is plenty of time for a fresh start – it all depends on you, your authentic timeline, and how soon you want change to take place. When you do decide to make healthy changes, the trajectory of your life will also change; your life path, career, relationships to self and others, your physical being, your mindset, longevity, and so much more… No one ever regrets taking the step to create positive, lasting change.
Give yourself permission to lead yourself for what is best for you versus a Gregorian calendar and society’s sequin and champagne-filled evenings loaded with expectations, pushing you to do things that just may not resonate. Instead, start relying on your own intuition and go with your own flow.
