A countdown, ball drop and champagne all signify the transition from one year to the next. But what happens when you do not partake in all the cheers?

Let me first start off by saying that I have always been a New Years fanatic. I believed in starting fresh and creating resolutions to motivate the 365 days to come. However, this year my views have shifted.

My best friend and I attended a party that doubled in size after being there for only an hour. One by one, more strangers showed up, yelling to their friends as they walked in the door.

At 30 minutes to midnight, we realized the insignificance of ringing in the new year with people we had never met prior to that day. So, we decided to leave and see where the night would take us. An aimless drive later, we failed to livestream the ball drop and before we knew it, it was 11:59.

Then, without much celebration, it was 2018.

I began to think about the high expectations I had on that night and how far it was from perfect. I would be lying if I said I was not disappointed.

However, disappointment is not always bad. It forces us to reevaluate the predictions we make about experiences and humble us to the idea that sometimes we must go with the flow. Although I know this to be true now, it was still hard for me to understand how the year could change so suddenly, without feeling a difference.

Then, I realized that the new year is not really a new start at all , but rather a continuation – from literally one minute to the next. It became impossible to picture a new year with a new me.

Sixty seconds is not enough time to change into a brand new person.

Society’s expression of a new year involving a new me is very arbitrary.

It is unfortunate that we put so much pressure on ourselves to become something different than what we already are. I am not saying that improving ourselves is not something we should strive for every day. But that is the thing – we should strive for it every day.

A new year does not necessitate a call for change. Our resolutions can be filled at any time, on any day. Society has made us feel that we need to physically improve ourselves.

Well, what about mental and emotional improvement?

We need to create resolutions that better us on the inside, not just the outside. Mottos of kindness, patience and balance should be motivating resolutions for a better you.

Perhaps happiness, persistence and courageousness suit you more. Either way, these words are not just words. They are powerful and life changing. They are enriching to ourselves, others and our year. Whatever it is you need more of in your life, wish for it and make it happen. We must begin to consider 2018 as a continuation.

If we do this, it would not be such a “now or never” situation. Remember to go easy on yourself, whether you have fulfilled or already broken a resolution. Do not expect a different number to dramatically change the person you are.

And if there is anything else I can leave you with, it is that you should always watch the ball drop. From my experience, I can say that it is pretty lame without it.