It is January 1, 2024. I look around, expecting significant changes in the surroundings. To my surprise, there are none. It shouldn’t have come as a surprise, you might say. Since my arrival on this planet Earth, I have not experienced a huge positive change on a single New Year’s Day. It is justified to dispel the first myth that something miraculous happens when the clock strikes 12 on the midnight of December 31st.
1. Nothing Changes Overnight, Work hard throughout the year!
Life continues to follow its monotony unless or until someone or something makes deliberate efforts to change its course. This is simple science. We mindlessly make a long list of resolutions to stick to from day one of the new year, expecting that miracles will happen. This is the reason, 99 percent of resolutions fail to take off. An obese person resolves to acquire a size-zero body, and a thin man aims to get a wrestler’s body in the new year. We don’t understand that the real transformation occurs when we start pushing ourselves toward the goal. The new year is another justification for postponing our action. Most of the gym sign-ups happen in January. I’m one of those who started their fitness journey in January but failed to resume till March.
2. Change Begins From The Day We Start The Effort, New Year or Not!
When I was young, the excitement of writing down a long list of resolutions was linked to the positive vibes the new year brings with it. With childhood faded the excitement of the New Year resolutions. The wisdom came late but now I understand that we can bring about the change provided there’s a continuous struggle in the right amount and the right direction. Earth revolves around the Sun without compromise. Seasons change, rivers flow, and time flies no matter what. We are also blessed with the power to modify many things. The need is to make a resolution, not necessarily on the New Year’s Day;)
3. Keep Trying, Do Not Wait for the New Year
As 2024 knocks at our doors, we should accept the fact that we are not superhumans. Mistakes are bound to happen, and the real thing that matters is to keep trying. When we are young, we are told stories like ‘King Bruce and the Spider’ to teach us that continuous effort is needed when we aim for victory. For me, the year gone by, 2023 brought the same lesson with conviction. The problem with me is that I fail to continue a task if there is no instant reward. It’s a significant drawback, but as you say, ‘Old Habits Die Hard’; this tendency has made me suffer a lot. It happens with many people. We expect instant returns without putting in the required effort. Period. My New Year resolutions die soon when positive outcomes don’t show up. In 2024, I plan to get rid of this habit of mine.
4. Each day is a new opportunity, New Year’s Day is not an exception
The most important thing I learned through my experiences is that we must welcome each day as a new opportunity. Every day is fresh as dew on the morning flower and has the capability to change fate. Every day is like a fresh page in your notebook, and a renewed chance to start a brand new chapter. It’s like hitting the reset button on a video game but for real life. So, grab your pencil and sketch out the awesome things you want to do and be this year. It’s like having 365 blank pages waiting for your smart moves!
5. Be Realistic, Fairy tales are fictitious
Most of the time people aim for the things they can’t afford to get. The New Year’s resolutions get a similar treatment. We resolve to be like someone who is completely different from us. While setting goals for ourselves, we must be realistic in our approach. Denying the limitations and over-expecting may lead to a loss of confidence in the end. Striking a balance between ambition and feasibility is key; it ensures that our resolutions align with our capabilities.
The year 2023 was a mix of good, bad, and sometimes a bit of ugly for me. This varied experience can be attributed to my own nature—somewhat obstinate, occasionally procrastinating, and at times, a little distracted. In embracing the dawn of 2024, I’ve come to realize that true transformation isn’t confined to the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve. Life’s journey is a continuous effort, marked by the consistent pursuit of our goals, regardless of the calendar date. The myth of relying on a specific day for change dissipates as we acknowledge the power within ourselves to shape our destiny.
This post is a part of ‘The Year and You’ Blog Hop hosted by Swarnali Nath.
PANORAMIC RIPPLES 
spot on and beautiful words.
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Thank you.
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How lovely, Aditi. Your post was a different one from this bunch. Absolutely loved how you determined every new year resolutions and defined them to change your life and lifestyle. I am sure they are going to bring a vast change in your life because if you can stick through them, they will help you grow and flourish. Thanks for joining the blog hop and making it successful with your glorious presence. Gratitude. Wishing you a Happy 2024.
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Thanks, Swarnali. Wishing you a great year ahead:)
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Totally agree with all your points, Aditi 🙂
We share the same views.
Change cannot & will not happen just like that. “Resolutions” need a resolute mind & lots of effort.
Each year is like a blank notebook – this year there are “366” blank pages waiting for our smart moves!
Have a blessed 2024!
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Thanks, Anita. Wishing you a great year ahead 🙂
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Overnight change is definitely a myth. Your emphasis on continuous effort, irrespective of the calendar is what creates that change we want to see. Lovely post.
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Thanks, Leha. Have a wonderful year:)
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Life’s journey is a continuous effort – I love that thought! And yes, we can begin our journey any time. We need not wait for the new year. Happy 2024 Aditi!
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Your points are very true, Aditi. I live by the same mantra. In fact, I keep making resolutions throughout the year whenever I find time for myself to reflect over my progress on various aspects. Wishing you a fruitful year ahead ❤️.
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I’ve been making this resolution to dance more since 2020 but haven’t done anything about it yet. But I hope to achieve this soon because I know I love dancing and I want to dance. But yes, I can start anytime. Not only on Jan 1 when we are still recovering from the party last night. Hahahaha!
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I had forgotten about the spider that keeps weaving the web, despite losing it many times. Keep working and stop sleeping! It was very sad when I figured out that fairy tales are only in your head, but then I also figured out that I can make my own fairy tale in my space. That helped me working towards my goals, because those were my dreams. Nothing happens overnight, but everything happens over time. Wishing you a good year ahead.
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The day we start doing anything we wish to do is the new year for that activity or purpose. Hard work to be done without thinking about what will be the end result. If effort is given no one can stop us from achieving success as at the end hard work pays. I believe dreaming is very important than creating Vision boards. Keep dreaming day and night about your desires and sure that dream will become a reality with your hard word. Aditi , what a wonderful post and so much with reality and practical thoughts.
Wish you all the best for 2024. Keep rocking
Love Samata
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While reading this post, I initially thought, “Yes, the 1st point is correct,” and as I continued, it gradually became apparent that all the pointers were indeed correct. Encouraging continuous effort, acknowledging mistakes, and learning from them resonate deeply.
Your determination to overcome the desire for instant rewards is commendable. Here’s to a year of hard work and positive changes in 2024. 👍
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Life continues to follow its monotony unless or until someone or something makes deliberate efforts to change its course. So true! What a wonderfully insightful read this was, Aditi. Even I’m of the belief that we don’t necessarily need a new year to bring around changes in our life or to do something new. I also resonated with your words, “We can bring about the change provided there’s a continuous struggle in the right amount and the right direction.” Here’s hoping we can work on our goals through the year. Wish you a great 2024!
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Good one. Its true, resolutions are meaningless unless we make a real effort to put it into action. And yes, any day is good day to start, we don’t really need to wait for the new year. Thanks for the reminder Good luck to you and happy new year.
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So very true. New Year’s Day is not as if a magic wand is waved and everything miraculously falls into place. To achieve something, we need to set goals and work towards them earnestly. It is not going to be handed out to us on a silver platter. Have a lovely 2024, Aditi!
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Really loved this post!
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True, resolutions help us to set goals but to achieve them we need to be disciplined and hardworking. A good reminder to all of us. Best wishes to fulfill all your dreams in 2024, Aditi !!
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Totally agree that we need not wait for a particular day to start changing. Habits change over time and we need to adjust our expectations accordingly. Wish you a great 2024.
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Aditi I was waiting to read yours as I know it would be true and honest. And your post highlights the fact that the year is important and not just the first day. Great thought loved it as I read through.
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There’s no such thing as an overnight change. Your message about putting in continuous effort, regardless of the calendar, is what truly brings the desired transformation. This post is truly inspiring and resonates with the belief that sustained dedication leads to meaningful change. Lovely post.
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A refreshing perspective! Your insight on the continuous effort for change resonates well. Waiting for New Year’s Day to bring transformation is indeed a common misconception. Your commitment to overcoming instant reward expectations is commendable. Embracing each day as a new opportunity and being realistic about resolutions are valuable takeaways. May 2024 be filled with continuous progress and achievements.
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A refreshing perspective, Aditi! Your insight on the continuous effort for change resonates well. Waiting for New Year’s Day to bring transformation is indeed a common misconception. Your commitment to overcoming instant reward expectations is commendable. Embracing each day as a new opportunity and being realistic about resolutions are valuable takeaways. May 2024 be filled with continuous progress and achievements!
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