This is the time of year when people write out their New Year’s resolutions, maybe one or two new ones, some modified ones from last year and then the traditional few that never seem to be taken off the list year after year. Things like lose weight, eat healthy, stop smoking… the list of Popular New Year’s Resolutions continues.

What are these resolutions really saying? That we aren’t happy with ourselves, or our habits, or our jobs, our debt, our relationships with others.When you think about it, they are actually more negative than positive. It’s like we are taking our regrets and viewing them as mistakes that we feel need correcting.

“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.

Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something.

So that’s my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody’s ever made before. Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn’t good enough, or it isn’t perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.

Whatever it is you’re scared of doing, Do it.

Make your mistakes, next year and forever.”

— Neil Gaiman

Every resolution has steps to making it happen. So if you want to make a change, focus on a small part of it. Once you find that you can achieve that much, it will be easier to continue towards your overall goal. I say we ditch those tired resolutions and focus on small ways to make our year better. Try thinking of creative ways to make a change in your daily routine. Like eating more vegetables, drinking more water, laughing often, doing something to make someone in your life smile. These are all small, indistinct ways in which you can make a small change turn into a big change.

~ Cher