I don’t know about you, but so far this New Year, I keep seeing the advertising message… “New Year, New You!” So by my inference, advertisers are assuming that the previous year brought out all my flaws and a “new me” is in order. Sure, it was a COVID year, I will give the advertisers that much, and hopefully like the commercials promise, I will finally be able to lose a few pounds, grow (or buy) more hair, work out more often in order to finally gain that “lean muscle mass” I keep hearing about, and if the ads are right, even learn to prepare well balanced meals. And if that isn’t enough of a “new me”, then maybe a few sessions with a so-called “celebrity lifestyle coach” might just be what the doctor ordered. But of course, all of these plans to create a “new you” or “new me” (however you want to look at it), seems to be the same, tired, and in some cases, expensive resolutions that we hear about every New Year’s. Yes, I know, we all say the same thing to ourselves; “this is my year,” or “this year is going to be different,” or “this time I am going to make it happen!” And being that we are still in January, I support anyone who is really trying to make all the right positive changes! I say “GO! Become the best version of yourself that you can.” See? I know how to be supportive. But, now skip ahead to around March or so, and for the majority of people, the Fitbit watch is still on the dresser, the fitness tracker app on your phone has gone into permanent “sleep mode,” you haven’t been to the gym in a while, you’re back at Starbucks spending that money you promised to save, and your planner probably has some blank pages where you missed writing in an appointment or two. Hey, it happens. It’s called “LIFE”. So maybe the “New ‘22” by mid-year starts to look a lot like the last few years of your life. This doesn’t make you a bad person. It makes you human. We are all wired to be creatures of habit. And like any good (or bad) habit, it usually takes a while for repetitive actions to become a habit. I think once you let that “sink in” you’ll be a better person for it. Wait! There’s a positive change right there! See? You’re already on your way to this “new you” and it (hopefully) didn’t cost you a dime! Look, can we all be better in some ways? I think so. But guilt from your New Year’s resolutions shouldn’t be what brings you down. You want to be a real success story? It doesn’t have to cost you large sums of money, a lot of hardship, deprivation, or even a membership to some place that promises that you will become a “whole new you.” Nope, simplicity is the key to starting out any new project. So keep it simple! Want more exercise? Walking around the block or around a park is still free (to the best of my knowledge). Want to eat better? You don’t need to buy fancy, expensive meal kits. The grocery store has everything you need, and you might want to check out the produce section too. Want to save money? Maybe you don’t really need all those entertainment streaming services, do you? C’mon, you get the point. Besides, it really doesn’t take someone else or a book to tell you how to de-clutter your home or garage. Look, if you want this New Year to be better and different, try the simple stuff first. Be kind, considerate, respectful, and most important, be yourself. Then, maybe you will find that with a few small “tweaks” you’re really not so bad after all. I like you.
Thanks for reading.
I’ll see you in the groves…jogging… until maybe about March of course.
Happy New Year!
-Tony
