Louise Carroll: Hard to start resolutions during holiday season
I think we should make our New Year's resolutions in June. Some companies have a fiscal year that is from June to June, and it would make sense for the rest of us.
During the holiday season, I have eaten every last cookie and even the fruitcake crumbs. Even with having a tooth pulled less than two weeks before Christmas, I've eaten my way through many parties and all the goodies. It's just natural to know that I have eaten too much and I don't mean too much broccoli or too many salads.
Is a three-course meal appetizers like olives, nuts and little fried spinach pies, cheese, pepperoni and crackers with an entrée of ham, a couple of different kind of potatoes, and vegetable casseroles in creamy sauces, followed by a variety of cookies including nut cups, maple twists and butter balls? No, but it was the way we celebrated Christmas.
I also received a lot of luscious chocolate candy as gifts, and I'm not good at resisting temptation.
So here I am having eaten too much food. Is this the time to make a New Year's resolution to eat healthier in the new year? No, because it is motivated by guilt for stuffing myself like we stuffed the Thanksgiving turkey.
Any resolution I would make about eating is motivated by the fact that during the holidays I have broken every rule of a sensible diet and good nutrition.
Statistics tell us people, who make a New Year's resolution are most likely to give up by Jan. 19, but because I think I am a fairly determined person I think I would make to Jan. 20 or 21.
If I were making my New Year's resolutions in June, eating healthy wouldn't even be in the top 10. It is summertime with lots of fresh fruit and veggies and grilling food. Eating healthier is just what I do after I've polished off all the desserts and candies.
Another New Year's resolution, which is obviously made to be broken, is exercising more and it is connected to all the food we eat during the holidays, so you can see it wouldn't be on the resolution list in June. It's summertime when I'm outside a lot more going and doing.
In the top five of the resolutions is spending less. Well, of course. It is January and I have been having fun buying gifts and goodies, and all this reflects in my bank account, and don't forget it is a cold winter, so utility bills take their share, too.
These financial hits are mainly non-existent in June.
Statistics also say that 16% of people keep some of their resolutions, so it does give a glimmer of hope that it can work. On the other hand, about 13% keep none of their resolutions. None of them? I don't think they were serious about it. Who wants to be a statistic? I know some awesome people who could be among the 16% that succeed, but I'm not one of them.
If you don't like my idea of making your New Year's resolution in June, just go ahead and be a traditionalist and make your resolution in January. On the web, I found sites that will give you guidance, support, knowledge, network and accountability. Go for it. I wish you well.
If you're making resolutions the best one you could make is to be good to yourself. Be as nice to yourself as you are to other people. Embrace your uniqueness.
Happy New Year! May the best day you had in 2022 be your worst day in 2023.
This article originally appeared on Ellwood City Ledger: Carroll: Hard to start New Year's resolutions during holiday season
