A Year-End Message to All Artists

Reflection, Resolutions, The Real New Year & Positive Ending

We all have dreams and goals that we want to achieve, no matter our age, background, or circumstances. Our New Year’s resolutions tend to reflect that as we make lists and plans for the next year.

Year-end always brings a wave of emotions for me as I reflect on these dreams, goals, and resolutions. But most of us end each year without achieving or doing much of our resolutions. Why is that?

I have so many things I want to talk about today, but let’s start with introspection and why New Year’s resolutions never work, then continue with questioning the real beginning of the new year.

Introspection

Concluding a year often inspires us to reflect on the past year and make new plans for the next year.

As we contemplate what we’ve been through, the highs and the lows of that year, a variety of emotions, such as joy, excitement, frustration, sadness, anger, and melancholy, come up.

Often, we may find our inner critic coming to the surface to judge what we couldn’t achieve this past year.

“Ugh! I didn’t achieve that goal. I’m not worthy of anything.”

“I didn’t get a manager, I suck.”

“I didn’t write enough articles, I suck.”

“I didn’t make enough money, I suck.”

“I guess I’m not worthy of that dream.”

“I’m just not smart enough for that kind of dream life.”

Breathe deeply when that happens. Don’t try to push the inner critic away, but rather change your approach, so the inner critic can naturally stop.

Breathe in as you say, “I will achieve my dreams when the time is right,” and breathe out as you visualize the voice of that inner critic leaving your mind. Do this as often as you need to.

You can always use these affirmations as you breathe deeply to fight this inner critic.

2024 Affirmations to Feel Your Best

Positive Vibes, Gratitude & Becoming the Best Version of Yourself

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Remember that everyone feels this way, even the most successful person you idolize. We tend to want to achieve our goals RIGHT. NOW.

But we have to remember that it’s the process of working toward our goals that teaches us valuable lessons, and one day, our time will come. Patience is a virtue.

New Year’s Resolutions

Why do these resolutions never work for any of us? What are we doing wrong?

According to a Forbes Health/OnePoll survey conducted in October of 2023, 61.7% of respondents say they feel pressured to set a New Year’s resolution. In addition, many respondents are planning on setting multiple goals with 66.5% stating they plan on making three or more resolutions for the year ahead. [1]

So, for starters, we not only feel pressured but also put a lot of pressure on ourselves to finally “change” this year. And we think that we will MAGICALLY change just because it’s the new year.

That’s why there’s the saying “new year, new me,” but when did that ever work out? And why doesn’t it work out? Because you’re you, and you won’t magically become a new person just because it’s now January 1st.

See you next year! Ha… ha.

Jennifer Kowalski, a licensed professional counselor at Thriveworks in Cheshire, CT, agrees with this assessment. “A new year represents a fresh start, and people need something to signal a moment to refresh…” Kowalski notes, “…when something comes to an end, it’s an opening to a new beginning.” And since everyone in the world experiences the new year on the same day, it’s a moment where many of the people around us are looking back on the old year and thinking about how to improve their lives in the new year. Consequently, the desire to make resolutions can be especially strong. [2]

Some reasons Forbes and Very Well Mind have reported regarding why we usually don’t follow through with our New Year’s resolutions are thinking too big, lack of commitment, not thinking it thoroughly, etc.

I think there’s also one more reason why we can’t achieve these goals in the midst of winter. Winter is a season that’s meant to be a time for hibernation and relaxation rather than jumping into new beginnings. Let’s dive in.

The Real New Year

Did you know that New Year wasn’t always at the end of December?

The earliest New Year festivities date back about 4,000 years. At that time, the people of ancient Babylon began their new year in what we now call March. [3]

They would basically celebrate the beginning of spring, which is when nature has a new beginning. Trees grow beautiful, shiny leaves, and flowers blossom. The hibernation period of winter is finally over.

The 304-day calendar year began in March (Martius), named after the Roman god Mars. It continued until December, which was harvest time in temperate Rome. [4]

There are still cultures that celebrate the beginning of the new year on March 20th.

Commencing on the spring equinox to celebrate the rebirth of nature, Nowruz (meaning ‘new day’ in Farsi) marks the first month of the Iranian solar calendar, falling roughly around 21 March each year on the Gregorian calendar. [5]

This time in March is called the spring equinox, when people celebrate the rebirth of nature. Naturally, the rebirth of nature means new beginnings and time to take action and blossom.

This new beginning is Spring, called ‘Vernal Equinox’ which happens on March 20th. So, the real New Year’s Eve is March 19th with New Year’s Day being March 20th. You can’t begin something new in the dead of winter, and this is why so many people break their New Year’s resolutions in one to six weeks after making them! This is because Winter is not the right timing to set goals; Spring is! [6]

So, don’t blame yourself for not following through with your New Year’s resolutions in the midst of a dark, cold, and, let’s be honest, a bit depressing… winter.

Set your goals to start around March 20th-21st instead, and believe me, with nature starting to blossom right in front of your eyes, you will feel motivated to start.

Positive Ending

Embrace the magic within every feeling during this time as you enter 2024, according to our current calendar. Be open to the idea of winter not being the best time for huge new beginnings, and don’t be so hard on yourself.

Cherish the good moments with your family and friends, no matter how small. Talk about happiness, health, and wealth to spread love and positive energy.

I wish you a beautiful, healthy, and enlightening 2024!