Resolution Ridicule

Resolution Ridicule 

It’s the end of the year, and of course it’s the time when everyone is talking about their resolutions for the new year.  We all decide that we are going to spend less time on our phones (me), and we will be more organized (also me), and many other things that are good for us but we will never keep up.  

It’s also that time of year when all of the gyms and weight-loss programs start to have big sales because of course, why would you not take this opportunity of a new year to make a “new you” by losing weight and getting “in shape!”  (If you really think about it, what does “in shape” really even mean?)

This time of year and throughout January we are inundated with marketing and messaging that we need to lose weight.  The message might not be that direct, though.  It might say, “Take charge of your health and do this new eating plan!” (That means try this diet to lose weight.)  Or it might say, “How eating (insert diet name here) can benefit your health.”  These are veiled ads for diets.  For ways to restrict your eating to lose weight.  This is diet culture, and health bias.

I have definitely gotten stuck in this “New year, new you!” thinking before.  On many January 3rds (my birthday is the second so the holidays always last until then for me) I have started SO many diets, and joined many gyms.  The thing is, I may stick to that for the month of January and maybe some of February, but like all diets, they are not sustainable and they do not last.  And like all quick-fix, restriction-based weight-loss, I also gained it (and maybe more) back.  And then I just start a shame cycle that throws me into a hard place.  

A few years ago though, I gave up New Year’s Resolutions, and have not looked back.  And you know what?  It was AMAZING.  It’s been so freeing.  I no longer feel like I’ve failed myself or others because I didn’t stick to a resolution.  I instead just try to keep up with an intention that I have for myself all year.  It’s an intention to take care of myself and treat myself with love and respect.  

So, this year I encourage you to give up the resolution.  Don’t get pulled into the trap of “New Year, New You!” because it’s crap.  You are always changing and hopefully growing and evolving and you don’t need to lose weight in order for that to happen.  I hope that if you must set a resolution this year, it’s to treat yourself with love and respect.   

Happy New Year.  May this year be filled with hope, health, and love.