Day 75: The Day After Yesterday

So, did we all get it out of our systems? I know I have.

The holidays are great for seeing family and friends, celebrating with a drink or two or six...teen. But now it is time to put all those drunken promises to the test. Are you really going to the gym tomorrow? Are you just going to wait till Monday? Did you buy all those vegetables you saw in that recipe book? I have made plenty of promises to myself over the years around this time and very few of them have panned out over a month. It isn’t because the task is difficult or unworthy. It is probably because I sobered up and feel better now.

It’s easy to make a promise to yourself while you feel like shit because all your body wants to do is not feel like shit anymore. Once we have given ourselves a couple of days of rest, plenty of water, and perhaps some coffee, things start to look a little bit brighter.

I think New Year’s is a terrible time to make a life change. There is way too much pressure. There doesn’t need to be a significant date on the calendar to decide to exercise a little more, eat a little better, drink a little less, smoke zero cigarettes. It is not a matter of making one big decision while toasting a half-empty bottle of champagne; it is about all the little decisions after that.

Take this blog, for example. I conjured the idea, mulled over how I wanted it formatted, took time to build a simple site, and then all that was left was to make the first small decision: the first post. I contemplated starting the blog yesterday (January 1st) because that would just be an easy starting point. But as I sat at my kitchen chair I realized that if I wanted this project to have an impact on me (which is what resolutions are all about) I could not wait another day. That was sometime in mid October. I don’t even remember the date.

And I’m still here tinkering away. I am far from my goal, but every day is a small victory. And believe me, there were many days that I did not feel like writing. Especially during this past couple of weeks. Changing something about our lives is about making a new habit, not necessarily getting rid of an old one. With that kind of mentality, we trick ourselves in believing we are leaving something behind. And it is true, in sense. But what I try to focus on during those tough times is that this makes my life better. And I don’t want to lose that feeling.

All jokes aside, I hope that if you decide to make a change this year, this week, or tomorrow that you find a way to stick with it. Because you are always gaining, you are always growing. Even if there is a setback, forgive yourself. Mistakes are only another opportunity to stand back up.

So, I raise a glass of water to you. Thank God the holidays are over.

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Author's Note #1: Times I have said, "I am never drinking again," is up to 743.

Author's Note #2: My New Year's Resolution is to get a job and get a house. Crossing my fingers.