So… 2016 officially finito, & Betty White is still alive & kicking it, so there’s that…

If your 2016 was the dumpster fire that it seemed to be for most people -based on what I’ve seen via social media, anyway- then you’re no doubt glad to have awoken this morning to a fresh start: the crisp, bright new canvas that is 2017.

Now granted, most of my “research” has been derived from reading people’s social media updates, but it seems to me that the general consensus was that 2016 was dismal and couldn’t end quick enough. Between political concerns, the loss of loved ones, key celebrity deaths, and general health/finance anxieties, 2016 cut people deeply.

Last night, #4 asked me what my “worst” year was. I automatically named 2009- marital stress, crippling financial stress, the death of my father, etc. etc. But as I answered, I realized… a year is a LONG time.

Every year that I can remember had it’s share of negative aspects, some more than others.

But every year also had it’s share of positive, or hopeful, moments as well.

The last day of 2016 found me hustling to various car dealerships, attempting to negotiate a new car lease. It was a process riddled with stress, tedium, mind-numbing numbers (which, if you know me, you know hurts my soul), and further anxiety about finances and bills for the upcoming year.

By the time I got home, I was exhausted, bitter, and discouraged. Not just by the lack of a new lease, but by… “everything”. You know.

Finances. Busyness. The lack of enough time, and money, and fun.

I scrolled through Facebook & Twitter, where I read countless posts about peoples’ goals for 2017.

“New year, new ME!”

“Making this year my best YET!”

“This year I will finally be: (thinner/healthier/richer/smarter/balanced/whole/etc.)

Now don’t get me wrong: I believe in goals. I believe in working towards something, and striving to improve whatever personal struggle weighs you down.

But…

All I kept thinking, as I read these inspiring posts, was of my own “resolution”..

I just want to survive. And maybe nap once in awhile.

Maybe you can relate. Setting a goal for 2017 -the ENTIRE YEAR- just doesn’t work for me. Not because I don’t have areas in my life that I want to improve upon. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. I want to improve upon just about EVERY AREA of my life.

That’s a lot of work…

I’m the all-or-nothing type. If I want to set a resolution (I hate that word), then I commit to it. Hard. And I keep at it. Hard. Until…

I fail. Which I often do.

It’s not the failing that’s the problem; it’s the feelings of failure that weigh me down, to the point where all I can then see before me is not just a singular failure, but every OTHER area in my life that’s also not thriving.

And like a domino effect, this type of thinking sends me back into a place of discouragement.

But all is not lost.

No, I haven’t set a single resolution for 2017.

But I have many, many resolutions for each DAY of 2017.

Because as I watched the Times Square ball begin to descend as the countdown to midnight began, I realized, yes, it’s a new year.

But, tomorrow (today) is also a new DAY.

And instead of getting hung up on the grandiose plans for improving so much over the course of a year,

I will win the DAY.

I will approach each day with the desire to improve certain aspects of life that need improving.

And if I fail… “2017’s goal” has not failed.

When I set a goal for the year that I will be patient with my kids & yell less, for the year, it typically looks like this, and all seems lost:

Jan 1, 12:01am: “My 2017 resolution is to be more patient with my kids, & to yell less.”

Jan 1, 2017, 7am: 

Or when I decide on January 1 that I will “eat healthier all year”, but then THIS:

Me (3:54pm): “I should make a resolution to eat healthier.”

Me (3:54pm & 20 seconds): 

In the past, falling short of a resolution meant failure for the entire goal. The year was shot. But no longer:

Because tomorrow, I get to try again…

Or the day after that…

Or, the day after THAT.

(Or I take a day off & try the day after THAT.)

Sometimes we can plan long-range goals with great success. And other times, we crash & burn, and the bravest thing we can do is put that day to rest with the resolution to get up and try again tomorrow.

2017 has 365 chances for you to own it.