A couple years ago, I found myself sipping the Rachel Hollis Kool-Aid. And by sipping, I mean slurping.
One of her many practices for “self care” and betterment is called the Last 90. Essentially, you take the last quarter of a year to commit to making yourself better, whether with diet, exercise, etc. rather than waiting for the new year to set a goal.
The thought behind it is that self-improvement comes from knowing you are capable and worthy of more than what you have previously accepted, rather than coming from a place of inadequacy.
And while all this sounds great in theory, I have found myself staunchly in the New Year’s Resolution camp in years past, rather than in the Last 90 group.
I found the hard start date of a new year to be more conducive to creating new habits or for leaving old ones behind.
But whether ending the year or starting it with growth in mind, I’m of the mindset that not every season of life is meant for thriving. There are some seasons that are meant to be survived, and nothing more.
The growth can come down the road once you’ve made it through the trenches.
Maybe this year has been one of those seasons for you. Maybe this year has helped shift priorities and open your eyes to unmet potential, and a New Year’s resolution is just the ticket to catapult you into self improvement.
Or maybe its been a year full of loss, change, and isolation, and you’re doing the best you can just to put one foot in front of the other. If that’s the case, I think it’s a good reminder that a new year brings new possibilities, but it doesn’t mean you have to hit the ground running come January 1st.
New goals require a significant amount of time and energy – and maybe you can’t give that right now. If the new year has you bombarded by gym membership deals, weight loss ads, and messages from long lost high school friends ready to tell you about their newest multilevel marketing adventure, it’s OK to not engage.
Knowing your limits is just as important as knowing what areas could use improvement. While I’ve been practicing some solid social distancing from all things Hollis-related these days, I still agree that creating better habits, improving old ones, and finding areas for growth come from self-love rather than loathing.
But, if you’re not in a place where you’re able to commit to change, acknowledging that where you are at is good enough for now, can be the best resolution of all.
