My new year's resolution? No more trying

I'm so done with should

I am one of life's triers. When I was growing up, this was unequivocally a good thing (a good girl thing, perhaps). It wasn't the winning, that counted, we were taught, somewhat disingenuously since society is set up entirely for winners, but the trying that really mattered. Win, lose, come second, third, last... none of it was relevant as long as you could put your hand on your heart and say you "tried your best". Or so all 1970s/80s teachers would have had us believe. (All except sports teachers, I should say, because in my limited experience sports teachers never bothered to pretend to be interested in anything other than first. And for that radical candour I guess we should be grateful!) 

As a mantra for life, being a trier has never felt like the worst thing in the world. Synonymous with making an effort, which was A Good Thing™️, it was…