O próximo ano não será diferente, a não ser que o faça assim

Novo ano - novo eu.

Quantas vezes já ouviste esta frase?

How many New Year’s Eves have you spent swearing to yourself that the following year will represent your novo começo e uma oportunidade para começar a fazer as coisas de forma diferente?

Quantas vezes prometeu a si próprio e aos outros que iria mudar no momento em que o relógio batesse a meia-noite?

That you’ll bury the old you – the girl who kept on letting the wrong people in her life, didn’t sleep enough, kept a bad diet, led an unhealthy life, didn’t take care of herself the way she should’ve, procrastinated, and made overall lousy judgments and life decisions?

How many times have you written down your New Years’ resolutions? E quantas vezes é que as cumpriu realmente?

How many times have you sworn that this is the year that you’ll finally start working out and hitting the gym, icut all ties with your past and forget your ex tóxico , or at last ditch that player who’s been leaving you and coming back in your life as he pleases?

The year that you’ll pass that exam that’s been on your shoulders for ages, take that trip you’ve been dreaming of ever since you can remember, get rid of all of your fake friends?

The year that you’ll do something about changing your shitty job and  finally put yourself first? Where you’ll learn the importance of self-care and self-love?

Quantos novos começos tinha mesmo? Quantos dias 1 de janeiro esperou ansiosamente para fazer algumas mudanças cruciais na sua vida?

Seria impossível sequer contar, certo?

Quando dezembro se aproxima e o fim do ano se aproxima, há sempre uma grande expetativa.

Decide firmemente virar uma nova página, começar a trabalhar no seu desenvolvimento pessoal e pôr a sua vida em ordem.

Mas o que é que acontece?

The New Year euphoria passes by you, you go back to your old habits and daily routines, and before you know it, you’ve forgotten all about your resolutions .

That’s it – until another December starts knocking on your door.

Mais um dezembro em que voltamos à estaca zero e nos arrastamos para este círculo interminável de promessas vazias que, de alguma forma, acabam sempre em desilusões.

O que vos leva a pensar que desta vez as coisas vão ser diferentes?

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that you don’t have what it takes to transform yourself into the woman you should become.

I’m not claiming that you don’t possess the inner strength and capacity needed to make some important decisions regarding your life and actually stick to them.

In fact, I’m just trying to open your eyes and make you realize that things won’t instantly get better just because you think you’re closing a chapter of your life the moment an old year comes to an end.

Santa won’t come with a magic wand to do your dirty job for you, as much as you’d like him to.

You’re the one who has to make these changes, without anyone’s help.

A única que tem todo o poder nas suas mãos e a única que pode mudar a sua vida para melhor.

You’re the only one responsible for your own destiny and the creator of your own happiness.

Aquela que tem de tomar o assunto nas suas próprias mãos e fazer um esforço efetivo para fazer algumas diferenças.

So, yes, there’s a possibility for this new year of your life to be better than any of the ones before.

There’s a possibility for it to be your turning point, but you’re the one who has to make it that way.

It’s your responsibility to meet your own expectations and it’s up to you to transform your dreams into reality.

Cabe-lhe a si mudar os seus padrões de comportamento e perceber que you can’t keep on doing the same things while hoping to get a different result.

It’s on you to push yourself to become better and improve the quality of your life.

It’s up to you to start chasing your own goals and dreams, without expecting someone else to do it for you.

It’s your responsibility not to repeat your mistakes, or allow yourself to dwell on the past.

It’s up to you to start living your life, instead of just planning it.

Claro que nada disto pode acontecer de um dia para o outro. No entanto, acontecerá se decidir colocar toda a sua energia, tempo e esforço nisso.

Besides, you don’t need to see a calendar switch to make any of these things happen.

You don’t have to wait for January 1st or even next Monday to start working on these changes.

If you’re really up to it, what is the point of waiting? Why not start right now?