Why hasn’t anyone ever said, “By the way, resolutions can be set any time of the year?”

For some reason, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to renew our entire lives January 1. All at once. We must be crazy. The pressure can be seen at the gym, at the grocery store, at the doctor’s offices and at work.

While this all seems very positive, how many of us start the year off with a bang, and, by April, get frustrated, tired burnt out, and give up on our well-meant resolutions. How many of us have already decided to change multiple things in 2020? How many of us, be honest, are dreading all of it? I used to.

The definition of insanity is repeating the same thing over and over expecting different results. So, maybe January 1 just isn’t your day? Isn’t that OK? Maybe your day is March 22 or August 3? Maybe you have had a really tough 2019 and just need a break from any change at all? Maybe work on just breathing in and out because that’s enough for now and sometimes all you can do in a day.

As a professional mental health therapist, I officially release you from all the pressure. Stop trying to lose 50 pounds. That’s a great goal, but maybe start with 5? Then go for 5 more, if you want to. Stop trying to run a marathon before you can run a 5k. Start with obtainable goals. Provide some positive reinforcement for yourself.

It’s OK to be a human being. Stop trying to be perfect. Aren’t you tired of trying to be superhuman from the holidays? There is nothing more real than someone saying, “I am not setting any New Year’s resolutions on January 1 because January 1 is not my day. My day is when I am ready to start.”

If you don’t know your day, that’s OK too. It’s why people like me are here; to provide support and help people figure things out. If you need help figuring things out, talking to someone can help.