Why Wait Until January 1st…Change Now!

When heading into a new year many people often think about change.  But the funny thing about it is that their start date is always in the future.  Come ‘on we’ve all said it…”on January 1^st, I’m going to start_______”.  I am even guilty of it. 

For instance, I need to drink more water.  The proper amount of water is good for your body, it washes away toxins in your system, it’s good for your skin and nails, and it’s a good habit to have.  The other day, I caught myself saying “starting January 1^st, I’m going to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day!”  How stupid is that?  Between the time I made that statement and January 1^st, I could have been hospitalized for dehydration!  Why wait to make this change then, when I can do it now?  Speaking from my point of view, here is why we put off to the future what we can change today.

Just One More…
It seems like when we put change off it is because we want the opportunity to savor the last of it.  Just one more…bite…drink…smoke.  Have you even noticed that when the day comes for you to stop, you make a big deal about it?  You announce to yourself or the group that this is the last time you will be doing this, and you usually mark the occasion by overindulging.  Little do you know it makes you want to do it again.

We Don’t Really Want to Stop Right Now

Being pressured into change is not the way to go about changing.  You have to desire it, you have to want it, and you have to be dedicated to it. Although it is always nice to have a support system behind you, remember that only you are accountable for your actions.  Change because someone wants you to change is really a lie, and eventually, you go back the same old bad habit(s) you had before.  This can cause stress and frustration to all parties involved when unsuccessful.  Make sure that your motives are right, in that way, when you have a setback, you will also have the same desire and dedication to push through it.

Change is Difficult

Now really, who wants to do something that is difficult?  No one volunteers for that.  The old saying “nothing good in life comes easy” is true, but when tasked with a difficult change, your Mindset is key.  Change your mindset…change your life.  Yeah, the task may be difficult, but it is not too difficult for you to master.  As William Earnest Henley said in his poem Invictus – I am the master of my fate, the captain of my soul.  You can do it!

You Don’t Know Where to Start

Depending on what you want to change, there are all types of help available.  The internet is a great place to start for it contains broad topics relating to medical, physiological, emotional, physical and even spiritual research on a subject.  Should you want to narrow your search to include physicians and support groups’ in your area, the internet is a valuable source to consult.  Also, I would like to add that consulting your physician before starting the process would be highly recommended.

If, at the beginning of this year you desire to change something in your life, then good for you.  Examine your motives for the change, realizing that change takes time, and that change is a gradual process. Dedicate yourself to becoming a better person because of it instead of focusing on the process.  In time you will reach the goal you have set out to accomplish.  Happy New Year to all and above all else…

Peace and blessings

Phaedra