The New Year’s resolution

I’ve spent a lot of time observing how different people approach this season. I have friends who are absolutely big on making resolutions. They treat it like a spiritual mandate, never wanting to miss a chance to scribble down their desires. They seem to believe in a fairy tale where an angel is hovering just above the clouds on December 31st, waiting to lift their resolutions straight to God for immediate answers. For them, there is a genuine fear that their entire year will be a chaotic mess if they don’t perform this ritual.

On the flip side, I know people who think the whole concept is a scam. To them, a New Year’s Resolution is just a myth—a placebo effect for the undisciplined. They believe that magic doesn’t happen because the calendar flipped; magic happens when you make it happen, irrespective of the time, day, location, or weather.

This brings me to a question I’ve been asking myself lately: Why do we wait for a new “calendar year” to change our lives?

I guess there is something psychological about it. The collective excitement of a new year pushes us to look forward to new things. It creates a mental “blank sheet” where we feel we can erase our past mistakes and rewrite our goals. But, if I’m being honest with you, I have a slightly different philosophy.

I am of the opinion that the real new year is one’s date of birth.

Think about it. January 1st is a date chosen by history and calendars, but your birthday is the day your personal existence actually began. For me, every time you mark your birthday, that should be the day you sit down, reflect, and make a new resolution. That is when your personal clock resets.

However, since we are all caught up in the euphoria of the general New Year, I decided to dig up some of the most hilarious myths and superstitions surrounding this holiday. As we prepare to make our “S.M.A.R.T” (Simple, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound) financial plans, let’s have a good laugh at what people believe will bring them luck.

The “Rules” of the New Year

I am still laughing as I read through some of these. Apparently, if you want a good year, there is a very strict script you must follow:

1.            The Cash Rule: Always have cash on you as you cross into the new year. The superstition says that if your pockets are empty at midnight, they’ll be empty all year. So, pad your wallet if you want to start with prosperity!

2.            The Debt Cleansing: You must pay off your debts before the new year. The goal is to go into the new year “clean.” (A lovely idea, though my bank account doesn’t always agree with the timing!).

3.            The Kitchen Inspection: Check your cupboards, groceries, and beverages. Make sure you fill them to the brim before New Year’s Eve. It is considered bad luck to start the year with a bare kitchen, as it signals hunger and hardship for the future.

4.            Open the Doors: Just before midnight, you should fling open your front doors. This isn’t to let mosquitoes in, but to physically “let the old year out” and welcome the new one in.

5.            Don’t Clean a Thing: This is my personal favorite. If you are worried about “sweeping away” your good luck, put the broom down. Don’t do laundry and don’t wash dishes. For one day, laziness is actually lucky!

Whether you believe in these myths or you think they are ridiculous, the most important thing is your mindset. Laugh at the superstitions, enjoy the festivities, but when the noise dies down, sit with your S.M.A.R.T. plan and make this year count—whether you start on January 1st or on your birthday.

Here’s to a year of full kitchens, full pockets, and absolutely no cleaning on day one!

READ ALSO: 6 reasons your New Year resolutions don’t last