Jagged Little Pill

A New Year is creeping up on us. The night of champagne kisses and resolutions is near. Some of my past New Years resolutions have been to quit smoking, go on a diet, start exercising, give more to causes close to me. And in the past I have not kept up with a SINGLE resolution shortly past February.
So why do we continue the practice of picking this one time of year to want to better ourselves, but then let it fall short? What is it about January first that makes it the best time to start fresh, begin again or start something new? New Years resolutions are probably the worst motivator on this planet. We vow to go on a diet, but only after weeks of indulging on Christmas goodies and turkey dinners. We say we want to start working out, maybe we even buy an exercise bike or treadmill, but after the first two weeks we don't use it as much and it becomes an expensive place to hang the laundry you don't want to put away. We pressure ourselves to quit whichever negative habit/behaviour we have and give in to temptation 3 days, 6 days, a week and a half later. Then just as winter feels like it's never going to end and we are trapped in this cold desolate place, we feel like we have failed ourselves. The pretty lights and decorations have all been put away and we're left with ten extra pounds and broken promises to ourselves.
As desperation seeps in, we become the marketing nuts dream come true. Quick take this little pill, don't worry it's all natural, and it'll give you more energy AND you can lose up to a pound a day! That little pill isn't doing anything for you? Try this magic drink, it'll help you lose weight, give you more energy and increase your sex drive!! What?! These 'suppliments' are making your hair fall out? Well you could always try this hormone, it'll make you lose weight, give you more energy, increase your sex drink, give your hair extra volume and shine PLUS it'll knock you up a cup size!! Magical, right?!
A pill will not help you lose weight. A pill will not give you extra energy, unless it's speed. A little pill is not going to be your answer. If you want to lose weight, look at what you're eating. If you want to get stronger, look at how you are treating your body. If you want a better sex drive or shinier hair or more energy, look at what is going into your body and what might be lacking.
Making resolutions shouldn't be about a quick fix. If you want to make big changes in your life, plan to change big aspects of your life. My resolution this year is not to make a resolution. I plan on continuing to work on myself, inside and out - not because January first is the magical date that this should start, but because this is a long ongoing process and every day is a new beginning, a fresh start and a new day to try something new.