The Rock & Roll Shrink Radio Show Ep. 36 - Another Auld Lang Syne

Let’s talk tonight about Another Auld Lang Syne,  expanding on previous shows that addressed coping with the holidays and the coming New Year, along with the resultant typical guilt and pressure to be focused on one’s life choices and have a game plan to reinvent everything, towards the goal of an imagined amazing life.

To be clear, there is nothing wrong with New Year’s Resolutions. There is nothing wrong with improving yourself, and making new goals and promises. The aspect at which we are gesturing has to do with the fact that so many people: 1. Are unprepared to perform by the looming date, 2. Do not have a sensible and reasonable game plan in mind, so they often invent what they believe others expect to hear, and then feel shame when they fall short, 3. Are often depressed or stressed at this time of year because the traditional social rituals often strongly point out loss, toxic relationships one avoids at other times of year, social pressures, and comparing one’s life progress to others, 4. Feel severe overcommitment, overspending, and other overdoing of things to live up to a magical standard,  5. Feel added anxiety because the social and refreshment expectations of the holidays can be extra stressful for those with addictions, or clinical anxiety disorders, and/or 6. Often feel pressure to partake of this exercise in a way to impress others, rather than doing the work that is most meaningful for them.

Some of our listeners were not yet following for previous shows, so we will recap material from these prior episodes, and then add on new discussion about resolutions and new beginnings, as well as the social pressure and emotional baggage around them.