Everywhere I look I see the phrase, "New Year... New You!" As if 2017 has the power to produce a whole new me. A me that loves to eat well, exercise often, be a size 0, has unlimited patience for people, and the potential to achieve every dream (no matter how realistic or unrealistic those dreams may be).
I know... I know... I currently sound like a major Debbie Downer. The evil wizard casting a curse on the magic of 2017.
I promise, that is not my intent. Goals are good! Intentions, resolutions, dreams... all good stuff. Where I draw the line is "New You!" Why, may I ask, do you want a whole new you?
I know that "me" has undergone a lot of growth in the past couple of decades. Me at 41 is almost an entirely different person than me at 21. However, at 41 I am not a new version of 21 year old Krissi. I have scars (physical and mental), I have knowledge, and I have experiences that make me the pretty spectacular 41 year old that you know and love, or don't, it's okay either way.
Desiring an all new me is destructive thinking. It sends the message to my brain, my heart, and my spirit that I am not good enough.
"New You," is a phrase that promises a whole "NEW YOU!" Frankly, that is unnecessary because you today does not need to be all new. You today needs to make adjustments, correct destructive behaviors, and improve on the you that already exist.
My challenge to you is not to focus entirely on those adjustments. Spend sometime focusing on past you. What does past you do that is pretty amazing? Are you an excellent cook, do you prepare amazing dishes that delight you and those you feed. Awesome! Than make a goal to do that more.
Maybe.. invite me to dinner. :)
Personally, I know that I love writing. I love watching words string together and become something. So, I am going to that more, because it makes me happy, and it makes old me happy. Rather than getting hung up on a whole new me I plan to celebrate and enhance Krissi version 1975.
Happy New Year!
I know... I know... I currently sound like a major Debbie Downer. The evil wizard casting a curse on the magic of 2017.
I promise, that is not my intent. Goals are good! Intentions, resolutions, dreams... all good stuff. Where I draw the line is "New You!" Why, may I ask, do you want a whole new you?
I know that "me" has undergone a lot of growth in the past couple of decades. Me at 41 is almost an entirely different person than me at 21. However, at 41 I am not a new version of 21 year old Krissi. I have scars (physical and mental), I have knowledge, and I have experiences that make me the pretty spectacular 41 year old that you know and love, or don't, it's okay either way.
Desiring an all new me is destructive thinking. It sends the message to my brain, my heart, and my spirit that I am not good enough.
"New You," is a phrase that promises a whole "NEW YOU!" Frankly, that is unnecessary because you today does not need to be all new. You today needs to make adjustments, correct destructive behaviors, and improve on the you that already exist.
My challenge to you is not to focus entirely on those adjustments. Spend sometime focusing on past you. What does past you do that is pretty amazing? Are you an excellent cook, do you prepare amazing dishes that delight you and those you feed. Awesome! Than make a goal to do that more.
Maybe.. invite me to dinner. :)
Personally, I know that I love writing. I love watching words string together and become something. So, I am going to that more, because it makes me happy, and it makes old me happy. Rather than getting hung up on a whole new me I plan to celebrate and enhance Krissi version 1975.
Happy New Year!
Comments