PERCEPTIONS: A different approach to resolutions

PERCEPTIONS By Steve Feitl Why wait until Jan. 1 to make a resolution?

   If you’re like me, the last thing you want to read about is another person’s New Year’s resolutions. So I won’t do it to you.
   If you’re like me, the second-to-last thing you want to read about is how another person doesn’t believe in making New Year’s resolutions. So I won’t do that either.
   Instead, I’m going to tell you why you don’t have to feel bad if you have yet to make a resolution for 2005 — just like me.
   Every year around this time, we get the deluge of talk about making these life-changing decisions to coincide with the new year. After all, they say it’s a great time for a clean break or fresh start or some other cliché.
   I say it’s a great time to not listen to that talk.
   I am not disputing all of us could use a little self-improvement. On the contrary, I know there are several areas of my life that could use some attention. There’s always something we could be doing better and challenging oneself is a great trait.
   But why now? Just because we’ve changed one digit in the year portion of the date, it apparently means now it will be easier to start anew. I don’t think so. Call it post-holiday malaise. Call it ski season. Call it whatever you like. I’m not in the right state of mind to alter my routine right now. It’s already a struggle to get back into the swing of life after the last several chaotic weeks. Adding a few new twists would only complicate matters.
   Let’s not forget that there’s a business advantage in pushing this January resolution concept. After all, the same stores that sold you all the stuff you wanted for the holidays are now selling you storage units to keep it in so you can "clean your living space." The same supermarkets that offered attractive sale prices on the fatty hors d’oeuvres for New Year’s Eve are now pushing their low-fat food so you can "get in shape." I’m not saying all our friends in the business world don’t really care about helping us improve ourselves, but if it happens to also improve their bottom line, I’m pretty sure they’ll help perpetuate the thought process.
   And then there’s the inevitable pressure of living up to these huge life-altering resolutions. Everyone knows someone who’s quitting smoking. But if you never started, that doesn’t help you much. What could you possibly do that would stack up to that? How about the people who pledge to stop procrastinating? I’ll get to them later. I just think it’s hard to feel good about a modest change like being more organized when you have a friend boasting to eliminate red meat or some specific food group from their diet.
   None of this takes into account the small percentage of people who are actually able to complete these grandiose plans. It takes preparation and a proper outlook to change your life. It’s not going to happen if you are guilted into it simply because "it’s that time of the year."
   A far more effective strategy is to wait until you are ready to make the appropriate changes for your life. I know I can’t concentrate on it right now, but come March or April, I might be in a better place to examine my lifestyle. That’s likely the next time I’ll seriously consider any resolutions.
   I invite you to join me then. Or not.
   Whatever works for you works for me.
Steve Feitl is the managing editor of The Lawrence Ledger. He can be reached at [email protected].