I decided not to make New Year’s resolutions. It’s not just a year. Many suggestions are offered for constructive ways to approach the coming year. There are traditional self-improvement resolutions. Then there are the gentler tips for gratitude and self-compassion. But I ignore them all. They mean well. They are meant to inspire and motivate me to improve my life, but I don’t need that right now. I need a rest!
I need to rest my brain. Normally, the “thinking brain” plays a dominant role in our lives, controlling problem solving, organization, emotional regulation, critical thinking, and decision making. It’s the part of the brain that seems more logical than emotional. The thinking brain takes in a situation or information and uses its executive abilities to produce a thoughtful response or action.
However, in times of crisis, chaos, or trauma (anyone following the news these days?), the survival brain instinctively reacts with flight, fight, or freeze. It seems that the thinking brain does not have enough time to process information and respond, so the brain inhibits these functions and the survival brain reacts quickly and impulsively to preserve itself.
Many of us suffer from some of the effects it can have on a person. We may have a “foggy brain” and may not be able to focus – it may be more difficult to complete an activity. There may be changes in our memory – we may find it harder to remember things that happened during the day. We can suffer from exhaustion in both spirit and body. We may be more emotional than usual. We may be neglecting basic needs like brushing our teeth, exercising, or cleaning our house. We can act more impulsively – spend more money, eat more, do things that are not good for us.
Our thinking brains need a break from overtime to process the variety of information we’ve been exposed to over the years. And our survival brain needs a break from flight, fight or freeze in response to fear and anxiety caused by the state of the world around us.
Reflection
So I take the time I would normally spend reflecting on the past year and planning for the new year, and instead I think about nothing. I don’t use my mind to plan anything or consider anything. I don’t try to look at what I’m grateful for. I don’t try to meditate or breathe or be kind to myself. I won’t go give it a try to do something
My goal is to turn off my brain. I enjoy moving my body in a way that makes me feel good. I enjoy friendship, reaching out to a friend and sharing a laugh or even a cry. I sleep well, I eat well, I wear new clothes in the morning. I find simple things that make me happy and I do them.
Instead of creating resolutions that create more hope and pressure for me, I’m taking a much-needed break this year. I don’t have to figure everything out and implement everything yet. Just being in my own skin is enough for now. For now, it’s enough to be close to who I can be. For now, it’s enough to have fun wherever you are. As Mary Poppins said when she quoted Sir Thomas Malory, “It’s as good as a holiday.” And I enjoy it.
This post was originally published on January 12, 2022 and has been updated to include new insights.
