As the calendar turns to a new year, we may find ourselves caught in the cultural ritual of setting New Year's resolutions. This practice, deeply ingrained in Western society, often focuses on self-improvement, goal-setting, and personal transformation. However, through the lens of Mad Studies, we can explore alternative ways of marking time's passage and honouring our experiences that challenge traditional notions of progress and self-betterment.
Reframing Time and Progress
In Mad Studies, there's a recognition that the linear, forward-marching concept of time and progress doesn't always align with the lived experiences of those navigating mental health challenges or neurodivergence. As scholar Jennifer Poole notes, "Mad time is not linear. It loops and spirals, stands still and races ahead."[1] This perspective invites us to question the arbitrary nature of New Year's as a starting point for change or reflection.
Instead of setting resolutions tied to a specific date, I (Amy) would like to encourage the Mad & Crip Press community to embrace a more fluid approach to personal growth and self-reflection. This could involve engaging in regular check-ins throughout the year, attuned to personal rhythms rather than calendar dates. By recognizing that growth, healing, and change often follow non-linear paths, we can celebrate moments of insight or change whenever they occur, free from the constraints of arbitrary timelines.
Challenging Normative Expectations
New Year's resolutions often reflect societal norms and expectations, many of which can be harmful or exclusionary to those in the Mad community. These resolutions frequently focus on aligning with neurotypical standards of productivity, social interaction, or emotional regulation. Mad Studies encourages us to question these normative expectations. As Brigit McWade argues, "Mad Studies offers us ways to think differently about what counts as 'rational' thought and behaviour."[2]
In this spirit, we might consider honouring cognitive diversity by creating environments that better support diverse ways of thinking, perceiving, and experiencing the world. This could involve advocating for accommodations in work or educational settings, or reimagining personal spaces to better suit individual needs. Additionally, we can work on redefining 'progress' outside of normative standards, perhaps by deepening self-understanding, cultivating compassion, or strengthening community connections.
Collective Reflections and Community Care
While traditional resolutions often focus on individual change, Mad Studies emphasizes the importance of community and collective action. Lucy Costa and Danielle Landry highlight the value of "mad community" in creating spaces of belonging and resistance.[3] Shifting the focus from individual resolutions to collective reflections and community care can be a powerful way to approach the new year. This might involve engaging with local Mad and neurodivergent communities to identify shared goals or areas for collective action. Committing to strengthening or creating networks of support within your community can be a meaningful alternative to personal resolutions. Also, setting intentions around educating others, challenging stigma, or advocating for systemic changes that support Mad and neurodivergent folks can also be a way to channel energy typically directed towards individual resolutions into broader, community-oriented actions.
Embracing Mad Wisdom
Mad Studies challenges us to recognize the unique insights and wisdom that come from diverse experiences. Rather than viewing certain mental states as problems to be solved (as many resolutions implicitly do), we can consider how these experiences offer valuable perspectives. Reflecting on the wisdom gained from navigating mental distress can be a powerful exercise. Consider how these insights can be shared or applied in the coming year. Exploring artistic or creative projects that give voice to Mad experiences can be another way to challenge dominant narratives about mental health and share unique perspectives.
Moving Towards Gentle Self-Reflection
While rejecting the pressure of traditional resolutions, there's still value in self-reflection. However, Mad Studies encourages a gentler, more compassionate approach. Instead of focusing on what needs to be 'fixed,' we might take stock of personal strengths, survival strategies, and moments of resilience from the past year. Reflecting on what environments, relationships, or practices have been most supportive can guide us in cultivating more of these in the coming year.
Conclusion
As we enter a new year, Mad Studies invites us to reimagine how we mark time's passage and engage in personal and collective growth. By challenging normative expectations, embracing diverse experiences of time and progress, and focusing on community care and Mad wisdom, we can create more inclusive and meaningful ways of reflecting and looking forward. This approach doesn't demand drastic changes or set us up for feelings of failure. Instead, it honours the complex, non-linear nature of our journeys, celebrating the wisdom we've gained and the communities we're part of. As we move into the new year, let's carry forward the insights of Mad Studies, creating space for diverse ways of being, growing, and connecting.
[1] Jennifer M. Poole, "Beyond the Rhetoric: Mental Health Recovery in the Workplace," (PhD diss., University of Toronto, 2007), 56.
[2] Brigit McWade, "Temporalities of Mental Health Recovery," Subjectivity 9, no. 4 (2016): 313-339.
[3] Lucy Costa and Danielle Landry, "Rethinking Madness and Creativity in the Context of Mad Studies," in The Routledge International Handbook of Mad Studies, ed. Peter Beresford and Jasna Russo (London: Routledge, 2020), 245-256.
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