Sticking with it

Today on my drive home I realized that this is the longest I have ever stuck with a resolution of any kind - New Year's or otherwise.  Now, 2 weeks of sticking with it definitely doesn't earn me a metal, but at the same time, it feels like an achievement.

For my entire life, I have been the type of person who makes plans and then falls through with them.  When I was younger on summer break, I used to make hour-by-hour schedules for the day so that I would be productive (Yes, it's very The Great Gatsby but that was long before I ever read that book. . .)  Of course, being 12 years old or so, I never stuck with the schedule.  I think I just liked the planning aspect.  When I was probably 14, I vowed to stop watching TV because an older boy I had a HUGE crush on didn't watch TV.  That lasted about a weekend.

Embarrassing stories aside, I love to make resolutions.  I think most people do actually.  Haven't we all at one time or another dreamed of being a completely different person?  Someone who has it together?  Someone who weighs less?  Someone who has most interesting hobbies or is more popular?  And you think, well, then I'll just become that person!  It won't be hard, just change a few things, and voila!  My whole life will be fantastic!

Obviously, that's not how it works.  But there is something transforming about sticking with a resolution.  You realize that all your fantasies aren't going to come true, but you become a more confident person, someone who believes in themself (which is such a cliche but something I struggle with), so the fantasty life doesn't matter as much anymore.  You're happy just doing your thing.