Ahh another year begins.

Ahh another year begins.

Well, it’s actually well and truly begun. In fact, one twelfth of it has already passed and we’re rushing headfirst into the serious part of the year.

That’s the part where we still have absolute unwavering faith and determination that “this will be THE year” that our goals are achieved, that we find true love, that we’ll be headhunted for the dream job, that our small business will be bought by a major corporation or genius business guru that marvels at our entrepreneurial concept (that one is a bit close to my heart), that … well you get the drift. Largely, we’re all wishing that things will change.

Now if you’re sitting there quite smugly thinking “nope, not me” and believe there is nothing you want to change, well I take my hat off to you.

And please email me and let me know what that feels like, to be 100 per cent content with things being exactly the way they are.

There are definitely people who feel that they have achieved their heart’s desire, and are living the dream. They are certainly an inspiration and, from my experience, certainly the privileged few. Then there’s others, like myself for example, who approach each new year a little like a small child returning to school – complete with brand new shoes tied to blister-producing correctness, a complete set of carefully sharpened pencils, and a bright-eyed eagerness to know what the year will bring. A new friend? The boy on the bus to look your way? A new school policy that abolishes homework? Childish as it may seem, we approach the year with great hope.

In looking back on previous years, it’s hard to determine when the disappointment set in and the longing-ness for the year to be over, began. But it’s probably safe to guess, that it was around about the same time each year. And that would be at the time when you felt you weren’t going to achieve everything you had set out to do – when you first started to let the idea of “defeat” enter your mind.

As each year passes from those childhood years of first disappointments – the year ending in scuffed shoes, lost pencils and the boy on the bus holding hands with your best friend – we start to recognise the signs of defeat earlier. We remember when things hurt or failed before, and we don’t need much more than the scent of them to recognise it again. And we back away. All too often our resolutions are dusted off and simply re-presented at the start of the year, with us not believing a word of it in our hearts.

So here’s my challenge to you for 2012. Go for a BIG walk, have a refreshing shower, put on some super-comfy clothes, have a glass of wine and sit down. Let’s do this whole new year’s resolutions all over again. Only this time, let’s make them count.

Make them real – to you. Something you truly want. It could be just one thing, but make it something you are determined to make happen. Be prepared to commit to it.

When you get that first hint of an obstacle, overcome it. When you feel like giving up, find your strength. When you want the year to be over – remember what your heart told you.  

Go back and remember making that commitment to yourself. Visualise yourself achieving this goal and visualise yourself getting to the end of this year – celebrating. Let’s make the changes, let’s be proud of our efforts, let’s enjoy the victory of realising our resolutions.

My resolution? After eight long years of flying solo, I want the love of a partner.

This is the year. We’re going to make it happen.

Let the journey begin.

Abby x

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