As the New Year looms before us, many among us will feel compelled to make New Year’s resolutions, just as we have likely done in the past. Have you ever wondered why we do this? How exactly did the practice of resolving before the start of every New Year come into being? And, why do we keep making resolutions, many times the same ones, year in and year out? Why, too, is it that we just stop at some point, generally early in the year, honoring those resolutions? What if we changed from making resolutions to articulating affirmations?
The History of New Year’s Resolutions
The first New Year’s resolutions are attributed to the Babylonians, who made promises to their gods at the start of each year. Their promises are said to have included returning borrowed objects and paying their debts. The Romans continued the practice by beginning each year by making promises to the Roman god Janus, for whom the month of January is named. In Medieval times, knights took the “peacock vow” at the end of every Christmas season, reaffirming their commitment to chivalry. Early Christians are said to have prepared for the New Year ahead by praying and making resolutions. The Lenten season, which liturgically follows Christmas (Christ’s birth) and precedes Easter (Christ’s death and resurrection), appears to have been, if not a catalyst for New Year’s resolutions, at least a reinforcement for resolutions, with its focus on sacrifice and self-improvement.
The Evolution of New Year’s Resolutions in the United States
The Great Depression era saw an increasing popularity for New Year’s resolutions in the U.S. During this time resolutions focused on good works. People frequently resolved to become less self-centered, to volunteer more, to be more loyal and diligent workers, and to improve their character. By the end of the 20th Century, the focus of resolutions shifted from the more external good works to a more self-centered, some might say superficial, context. A typical resolution was to improve one’s looks, for example, to lose weight, change a hairstyle or wear more stylish clothes.
How many times have we made resolutions, not unlike those of our fellow Americans, to lose weight, exercise daily, eat less sugar, etc., only to have our good intentions fall by the wayside by Valentine’s Day! Why not give something else a try this year? Instead of a list of resolutions, why not write a list of affirmations?
The Difference Between a Resolution and an Affirmation
The word resolution comes from the root “resolve,” which means to make a firm decision to do something, to take an action on something. On the other hand, the word “affirmation” asserts to the truth of something, something that already exists. (A “done deal” so to speak.) In a spiritual or metaphysical context, the word “affirmations” translates to declarations of our worthiest goals. When repeated with conviction on a regular basis, affirmations are absorbed by our subconscious minds and are accepted by the subconscious as fact, guiding our behavior to be consistent with our goals.
This year, instead of engaging in the same ill-fraught behavior of resolving to lose weight or exercise more or work harder, affirm that these things are already accomplished.
Writing Effective Affirmations
You’ve made New Year’s resolutions year after year, perhaps with little or no positive results. Why not start 2014 with a list of affirmations rather than the same resolutions? What, after all, have you got to lose?
Affirmations are declarations. They are personal statements phrased positively in the present tense and with emotion. By way of example, instead of resolving I will lose weight in 2014, affirm I am feeling agile and fit at my ideal weight of (insert how much you want to weigh), or I am eating and exercising thoughtfully to maintain my healthiest self. The keys to effective affirmations are: (1) make them personal (I or your name), (2) phrase them in the present tense (am, feel, create), (3) use emotive or positive words (feeling, enjoying, creating, living, energizing), and (4) conclude with an ideal outcome, goal or result.
Reaffirming
Unlike resolutions, affirmations are not static. Nor are they meant to be set forth once and then forgotten. Once you have written your affirmations, don’t just set them aside, forgetting about them as the year progresses. Incorporate your affirmations into your daily life. Write them on post-it notes or index cards and put them where you will see them every day. Repeat them, with conviction, to yourself and out loud, while you are getting ready in the morning, waiting to fall asleep at night, and at other times throughout the day.
Visualize your ideal self and circumstances as expressed in your affirmations while meditating or riding on that commuter train or bus ride. See yourself running that dreamed of marathon, or completing your degree, or wearing that size 8 little black number at next year’s holiday party. Act ‘as if’ when it makes sense to do so. (Note: this is not permission for you to over spend or otherwise place yourself or your family in precarious or dangerous situations.)
As you incorporate your affirmations into your daily life in 2014, don’t be afraid to make adjustments to them as situations and circumstances inevitably change. As you grow and your life evolves, your perspective and your goals may change. When this happens, rewrite your affirmations to reflect these changes.
As 2014 begins, dare to affirm: I am feeling renewed and alive, with an endless supply of love for myself and for others, and with boundless energy and creativity, getting better every day in every way!