Happy New Year! Did you know that thousands of years ago, mid-autumn (or Summer’s End) was the time of the original New Year’s Eve? That’s right, the first calendars were based on the cycles of the moon, not the sun, as are calendars of today. There were thirteen twenty-eight-day months. The full moon of the thirteenth month fell around the time we call Halloween or Samhain. This was the time of the harvest and when preparations for the long, dark winter months began.
Regardless of when you celebrate the first day of a new year, it has always represented a new beginning; a time to do better as your story for the unknown begins to be written. This is the time to learn from the past and embrace the new. This New Year I resolve to continue my journey to health and to take the next steps toward publication of my novel.
The question is; how do we stick to the goals we set for ourselves? How many of us have made a promise to do better or to change, only to find ourselves making the same promise the very next year? I know I have. Change is hard! I often make very lofty goals, only to feel defeated when I’m unable to meet those goals and then I stop the pursuit of my resolution all together. Sometimes I give up after a few months, sometimes after only a few weeks. So, I’m changing my approach. I’m setting small doable goals and using them to build upon.
The first months of the year, in my real life outside my writer life, are incredibly stressful and busy. I work longer hours and I’m super stressed. I also have considerably less time with family; to say nothing of my time to meet my resolutions toward healthier living and publication of my first novel. But, this year, instead of trying to do everything, (and as a result, completely wearing myself out) I’ve made small promises; like committing to getting good, solid sleep (the key to good health and rather elusive for this mom) and writing a minimum of 100 words a day. Easy right? But I’m hoping once I start meeting those goals, I’ll be inspired to exceed them.
What will your story be for the year 2020? Share your New Year’s resolutions in the comments below!
Write more short stories is my new resolution. Thanks for sharing, it was great information.