No matter how you decide to start the new year, the thought of decluttering always takes precedence. Whether it’s to clean out that junk draw in the kitchen, or perhaps it’s an old mindset or behavior, maybe you simply wanted to free yourself of that baggage you’ve been toting around for God knows long, well, the end of the old year is well suited to do so.

We rush the new year in droves to shed that second skin, and at the stroke of midnight when we cross over, these things unfortunately do not magically disappear, they cross over with us. Sorry, but that’s the truth. It’s more likely than not; we revert to those old patterns because our follow through went splat in the first week or so. 

How do we on the first of January and subsequent days ahead shake ourselves free of the little fallible nuances that tend to stick to us like glue. I’m glad you ask.

As the new year unfolds into Valentine’s Day, then Easter and ensuing holidays, I’m reminded that transition needs ease, progress has an intended purpose, and that grace only knows to flow forward for those who desire to make subtle change. Subtle changes can seem minutia, but they’re a proven fact that work.

The last couple of years, I began rethinking the tradition of New Year’s Resolutions. The concept of resolutions, is to change an undesired trait or accomplish a personal goal, or otherwise improve some behavior at the beginning of the calendar year.

With pen in hand, I was ready to take on the task, but what I compiled was a list of many mistakes I had made along the way. I mean, how long can you regurgitate the same meal. It’s pretty disgusting, especially having one stomach.

In time, I discovered that resolutions were the perfect methodology for creating another totem pole of shortcomings. As someone who in the past was pretty hard on myself every year around this time, I felt the weight to do-better-and-out-perform. And that was a drag. 

Instead of compiling a list of all the wrongs this year, I sat and thought of words that I attributed to the things that were most important to me. When I thought about life, my role as a mother, wife, teacher and friend, I thought of words like grit, gratitude, resilience, fortitude, joy, and purpose.

I made an intentional and purposeful effort to cultivating the ability to slow down enough to notice something new, to better understand that the seasons of life are more a theme than anything else. These themes of hope and determination do not have to be hard-won by those who make it seem easy, but also by those who decide to forge new paths even in mid-July.

New year’s resolution if you have them are fine, if you keep them that’s even better, but the aim to be our best selves, to win at our goals, to maintain our diets and gym schedules aren’t learned in a day but in the steady resolve to learn from the hope that grows in us.

The extraordinary part? We rarely notice the good roots and strength emanating from us daily.

When you’re ready for your own change, transition or resolution from one season to another, or one year to another the idea is to be intentional with yourself, your mind, spirit and stick to your good goals like that bad habit, with intensity and resolve. 

And don’t forget to brush yourself off, for the little failures and setbacks in between. 

In the end, It’s the promise to yourself to do something differently that brings lasting change.

So keep that promise because you are your best thing. 

Go on, chase that New Year Light.

Happy New Year