top of page
Search
Writer's pictureJack Robert

New Year New You?

Updated: Jan 8, 2022



The new year is here, and many people are running around trying to devise new resolutions for 2022. Honestly, I love it because a new year creates a sense of new beginnings that are key in pursuing goals. (A sense)


Social posts are the most hilarious during this time of the year. You will see captions like "New Year, New Me!" And many others that are meant to convince followers that you are making changes.


I wonder why people have to wait until the new year to make changes in their lives or outline such posts. The same can be done every week or every month to assert change and call for new beginnings.


As an African who values his culture, I do not have any respect for a new year because I think they are creations of a white man. Our forefathers never had any calendars, and they barely celebrated a new year.


They celebrated harvests since that contributed to good living and food for the entire family. The new moon was also celebrated in some African communities because it was a sign of social transitions that were significant in some African communities.


Basically, there were no new year resolutions, and men would decide to make changes at any time and live better lives. Men were expected to take care of their families by tilling the land and planting enough proceeds to feed a family for an entire season. It was taboo for men to stay idle at home with empty granaries.


Those who had huge harvests and full granaries were considered men of honor; hence they would celebrate at any time. I think the same mentality is needed today to help modern generations thrive in their careers.


It would be best if you never waited for a new year before you made changes in your life and career. You can make changes weekly and try new things to help you achieve your goals. It is imperative to analyze one's decisions every month and assert what is working and what is not.


I usually try to analyze my finances regularly to affirm where I am going and the changes I need to make. I can do that every month or quarterly to ensure that I do not spend on things I barely need. You will be surprised at how much you can save if you try the same analysis regularly.


Do not get me wrong; I love New Years because they are a time of celebration and new beginnings, but nothing changes. Nobody will offer to pay your bills or buy you a new car because it is a new year. After celebrating the new year, you have to wake up and stare at the same mess you had yesterday.


Thence, I think captions of 'new year new me' are unrealistic. I have lived long enough to know that new years are the same and fireworks do not mean anything. No amount of fireworks will instigate change in your life unless you take the first step. You should be scared of people who do not get this concept since they may never ascertain any differences in their lives.


Therefore, I want us to create a New Year mentality weekly or monthly. Do not wait for a new year to apply for that job or make amends with your family members. Make a point to analyze your decisions regularly and affirm the best paths to take. I want us to be like our forefathers, who had no new year to celebrate. Empty granaries and hunger motivated them to get up and fight for their place in society.


Bottom line, the new year is a day like any other, and it changes nothing if you are not ready to take the first step. I woke up on January 1st 2022, and I still had the same problems I had on December 31st. The bills still needed to be paid, and my boss wanted the proposals delivered before midday or I to look for another job.


I prefer 'new week new me' posts since that goes a long way into affirming a real change in one's lives. Happy New Year, Folks!

8 views0 comments

Comments


Post: Blog2_Post
bottom of page