are you a different person yet?
It's the first week of 2016. Are you a different person yet?
Not me. I'm still the same girl who loves the chocolate chip cookies at Whole Foods and who just added, like, 15 new movies to my Netflix queue. I'm still me.
Adulting (yes, I made up a word) is tough. This is a time of year where we are told we need to feel guilty for all of the stuff we did (or bought, or ate) just a few months ago. We're told this over and over until we feel the only acceptable answer is a resolution to change. My grocery store spent the last three months telling me just how special their pastries were...and how no holiday is complete without (rolls, cakes, cupcakes, gingerbread...) But on January 1st they've decided I've let myself go and need to be healthy. And if you're a people pleaser (I'm raising my hand!), you've been dreaming of the day when you can change and they (the mysterious 'they') will like you.
But enough about what other people say I should do. I respect the marketing machine. A grocery store's gotta do what a grocery store's gotta do.
So I've stopped making resolutions. Mainly because I don't buy into the idea that we're broken on December 31 and completely overhauled on January 1.
But the truth is this, the people who didn't like you in August probably aren't' going to like you now because you're eating more kale.
This is who I was in November, who I am in January, and who I will probably be in June:
I watch the same movies on Netflix over and over again. I like The Shining and I love the way the little boy moves his finger and says in a creepy voice: "Danny isn't here Mrs. Torrence." I don't get tired of it. I watched it last night. I am watching it again now.
I'm over wearing high heels. I had a recurring ankle injury for years...then I stopped wearing heels. No more ankle injuries. So, no more heels. I will do better
I like my bed...and I like going to my bedroom early, snuggling with my hubby and a good book. Sure, I like going out, but I love staying in.
I write a lot. As in, all the time. When I begin to write, I get lost on the page, and it's exhilarating to play around with words and phrases. This process won't change anytime soon.
I love science and nature documentaries. The great mysteries in life are still unfolding, and want to be right there to learn as much as I can.
I cry over stupid stuff. Those grocery store commercials where the uncle/brother/son returns from war/a business trip/the hospital? I collapse into a puddle of tears.
The moral of the story is change doesn't happen instantly.
It happens slowly and steadily, one inch at a time.
It doesn't take a day on the calendar.
All it takes is you.
And a desire to do it (whatever 'it' is for you) a tad better today than you did yesterday .