10 Jan 2012
Posted by admin 
During a night of a few pints and musical accompaniment, Jessica and Lisa delved into the topic of self-reflection and aspirations for the year ahead. By this we mean, Jessica + Lisa + drinks.
The idea of New Year’s resolutions can be dated back to the ancient Babylonians (thank you Wikipedia). Throughout the years, resolutions evolved from promises to gods, commitment to chivalry, and reflections of wrongdoings. In the twentieth century the resolutions one tended to make revolved around more superficial aspects of one’s life. How things have changed. The following conversation took place between the WTF Girls as they discuss their views and commitment to this very topic.
Jessica: I hate resolutions. Just like I hate self-help books. I think it’s a way to profit on people’s low self-esteem and sell gym memberships.
Lisa: I’ll give you that; my gym is always packed at the beginning of the year. That aside, you don’t see it as a starting off point for a new beginning?
Jessica: Well, I get the idea of it and I’m all for making goals. I just don’t like the idea that it has to start January 1st, why not next week, or next month. The whole point is to make it attainable and doable. The New Year expectation makes it easier to fail. Why am I so cynical? Maybe I should make a resolution to change that.
Lisa: I think with a resolution like that, you’re setting yourself up for failure.
Jessica: You know me so well.
Lisa: I get where you’re going with this, but personally I like to do resolutions. Granted, I don’t always stick with them…
Jessica: Yeah, I was just going to say, what is your success rate?
Lisa: Um…. I plead the fifth? Actually, this year I am doing something a little different. I’m focusing on a new mentality, a fresh way of thinking. To steal a quote from Chris Hardwick, I don’t want to be a pawn for darkness. You get that, right?
Jessica: Huh?
Lisa: For me, the quote means that I shouldn’t focus on all the negative aspects of my life, be it unexpected roadblocks or unwanted drama. Sometimes shit just happens, and I shouldn’t let those moments stop me from continuing on with my life and to forget about the plethora of great moments.
Jessica: Huh?
Both laugh. Drinks are refilled.
Jessica: Okay, okay, I get what you’re saying. I think a fresh way of thinking is a better way to approach it.
Lisa: Not to continue to sound like a self-help book, but all the typical resolutions I wanted to make are things I want to incorporate into my lifestyle. For example, eating better and sticking to my workout schedule.
Jessica: A resolution just sounds like there is an ending, but I guess if you call it a fresh approach or a new way of thinking, it makes it sounds like an ongoing process, a life-style change. Wow, now I sound like a self-help book. By the way, why did it have to be the New Year for you to make this change? Why now, Lisa? Why now?
Lisa: Honestly, the fresh way of thinking came from a book I just finished.
Jessica: A self-help book?
Lisa: No, it was just a book that I connected with. As for starting in the New Year, I’m OCD so I like structure. What is a better structured started than the first of the year? Check mate.
Jessica: “I will not be a pawn.”
Giggles ensue.
Jessica: Well, if it works for you…
Lisa: Alright, Miss Cynical, it’s now been a week since the New Year, why can’t you have any fresh starts?
Jessica: I’m making changes as I go, and will set goals when I feel I’m ready to start working on them. I’m an impulsive Aries and have a harder time focusing until it’s go time.
Lisa: But when it is “go time” you’re essentially making a resolution…
Jessica: What!
Lisa: Okay, a “fresh start” at a particular moment. You think it’s more important to set these goals when you’re focused on attaining them instead of following a tradition?
Jessica: Right.
Lisa: That’s a good way to look at it. If you’re ready to put one year behind you and take on the New Year with bravado, then a New Year’s Resolution works. I do see that sometimes those resolutions can be more of a hindrance than a motivator.
Jessica: It doesn’t really matter. We only have until December 21st anyway.
Lisa: I’m so going to be pissed if that happens.
Jessica: I’m just kidding. We should still act like it’s the end and do what makes us happy. Change what we want to change, and not let an unfulfilled expectation determine our worth.
Lisa: Now you really sound like a self-help book.
Jessica: I just said I didn’t like to read them, not that I couldn’t write one.
Lisa: While I totally agree with you and think that nothing but your inner being should determine your worth, some people need that defining starting point, like me. Having that definition kick starts my motivation to accomplish my goals. So… there.
Jessica: Okay, start your engine.
Lisa: Vroom, vroom.
And scene.
