Okay - okay - okay- it’s here. Yes, the new year is here. It’s brand spankin' new and it’s all in your face:

“10 WAYS TO LOSE 10 POUNDS IN 10 DAYS IN THE NEW YEAR”

“KEEP YOUR RESOLUTION WITH THIS GYM MEMBERSHIP”

“BRING IN 2018 WITH THESE 6 FOODS THAT WILL MAKE YOU LIVE LONGER”

Again, okay okay okay… we get it. But do we? Do we truly understand the way to change, or even better, the need for it? Do we even NEED TO CHANGE? 2018’s got me thinking I’m doing something wrong for maybe what, 3 weeks? Right? Is that how long the average resolution lasts? Well, according to Forbes,  8% of individuals actually succeed in keeping their new year goal. Why is that? Why do people give up? Why do people “fail” at change?

I was at a yoga class this past week. My younger sister actually had dragged me out of bed to enlighten me in this small, 90° hot box with 50 other individuals at 9:30 in the morning. So here I am, on my mat, in the back of the class trying very hard to focus on what the instructor is saying. Ten minutes in and I’m getting restless and feel myself giving up, maybe after the fourth time falling over from my crow pose. She calls us into Tadasana - mountain pose. This is simply standing with your feet flat on the ground and your hands by your sides with your fingers spread. It’s comfortable. But what the instructor said truly engaged me - “Start here and be present. Find what works for you today in your practice, on your mat. And let that be enough.”

Now not every moment in our lives can be as calm, comforting and quiet as a yoga class. Trust me, I’ve tried. But, we are able to use our skills that we perform on our mat, the patience and mindfulness, in our everyday lives. Now to answer the question you’re probably thinking - what does my yoga class have to do with your New Year’s resolution? Everything.

Resolutions tend to not work because there are too many rules and way too much pressure. To the point where if you don’t follow it one day, then there goes the white flag, thrown… buried… forgotten. These resolutions won’t work if they come from your Facebook feeds, the ads on your television or your favorite blogger’s Instagram. They need to come from you. YES, you. Things seem more attainable when quantified so let’s make a short list of How to Achieve my New Year’s Resolution:

1. BE SELFISH, AND THINK ABOUT YOURSELF. Before you pay for a new membership or buy a new juicer, take a moment and ask yourself: “What do I want?”. Notice that doesn’t ask what your favorite blogger wants, or what the gym is promoting - it’s asking you to think about yourself and pick one thing that you want. It could be anything - from going to bed an hour earlier to walking your dog more. Whatever it is, pick one thing and start small.

2. DITCH THE DIET. As fun, easy, and sexy as they may appear - they don’t work, and they’re not fun. Why would you want to follow a plan that makes you feel as guilty as stealing a cookie from a girl scout when you slip? One diet only allows you to drink black coffee and the other is screaming that you need to eat like a caveman. Well, what if you love cream in your coffee and enjoy bread? Find something that fits your needs and wants and follow it at your own pace.

3. IS THIS FOREVER? Because if it aint, then cut it out. Resolutions tend to fail because they’re extreme. The reason I ask if you’re going to do it for the rest of your life is because if you won’t, then it won’t last. And this isn’t me advising you to go on a juicing cleanse forever... please don’t do that. Resolutions are short lived because they’re marked as short term. This is a journey people!! A very realistic life journey. As in, things will happen and you will slip from your plan, you are indeed human. So reflect, learn, and better yourselves… leaving the media out of it.

Yoga’s is exactly like a typical New Year’s Resolution. They are both viewed as very difficult. However, both don’t have to be. The practice of yoga performs the same pose to the class, allowing each individual to personalize it. Allowing each individual to find their own capacity, their own passion, their own challenge, and to strengthen that. It allows what you perform on your mat that day to be enough. Take this when you begin any change. It will not be perfect at the start, no one expects it to. Do what you can and get there at your own pace. Some days may be better than others and that will be okay. As long as you show up, stay mindful, and do your own best. Don’t ever punish yourself for not reaching it - let what you do today be enough.