2019 New Year’s Resolutions – Revisited

A friend recently asked me if I would be blogging about New Year’s resolutions on the ‘Willow.’ My first thought was, of course. I get a cheap thrill from a fresh start, a clean slate, a new calendar, a newly minted To Do list… you get the picture. But as I thought about it, I remembered one of my first blogs last year was about New Year’s resolutions. I believe I made a few, and I put them in writing for people to see. So before I go on with my bad self, talking about how great New Year’s resolutions are and espousing what I intend to do in 2020, I should probably go back and look at that list and see how I did.

Yikes! As much as I like a new beginning, I dislike the dreaded self-evaluation. Comparing my performance to the expectation, measuring the result, and pointing out where I was not successful isn’t fun. But if we don’t do that, if we don’t engage in self-retrospection, neither will we notice our successes. Because believe me, I don’t need the self-reflection for failures. I don’t need to look at last year’s list to figure out that I didn’t lose 15 pounds again this year.

After a lot of overthinking about what my thoughts might have been last year regarding my 2019 New Year’s resolution, I finally decided to just take a peek. New Year’s Resolutions (NYR) The first thing I noticed was that I said I don’t believe that NYR are a pass or fail endeavor. I like it! I also see that most of my resolutions were intangible or abstract. That’s good too!

Here are a couple thoughts on my 2019 NYR review.

When someone asks me how I’ve been or what I’ve been doing, replace my go to “I’m busy” with “I’m enjoying life.”

Hmmm. I remembered that I was NOT going to say ‘I’m busy’, but I sort of forgot the ‘I’m enjoying life’ part. When answering this question, I usually flailed around a little bit looking for an alternate response and usually came up with something like, “Oh, you know. The usual.” Mark this one as ‘room for improvement’.

Compliment a stranger.

I did pretty well with this one. I tried to be more aware of others and smile more. If I saw a cute haircut, pretty blouse, or nice car I commented. I felt a bit like an ‘old’ person, but it made me – and the other person – feel good.

Tell my friends and family how much they mean to me.

I think I did okay on this one too. Don’t leave words of love unsaid. Say them, sincerely and often.

Help someone in need.

Not too sure about this one. I did the things that lots of people do – take periodic donations to the food bank, assist an elderly person at the store with the door or their packages – but nothing to write home about. I can do better.

Be part of an inclusive group, not an exclusive group. (Thank you, Dad.)

I didn’t join any new groups, inclusive or exclusive. I did try to be more cognizant of those that may feel excluded in work, neighborhood or family activities. I have to give this one some more thought.

As I’m considering next year’s resolutions, and because I like to make lists, I’ve come up with a couple different ideas. I’ve grouped them by theme, just for fun.

The 30 Day List (For those who like accomplishment, but are over resolutions by the end of January.)

Call a friend you haven’t seen in ‘too long’
Donate a bag or two of unused clothing
Go on a blind date, or if you have a significant other – plan a special date
Do something nice for someone you don’t like
Take a day off work to care for yourself
Make a donation to charity in memory of a loved one

The Optimist List (For those seeking a happier 2020.)

Wake up each morning and be grateful for the day
Adopt a habit from someone you admire
Sign up for a daily affirmation or positive quote email
Join a volunteer organization for a cause in which you believe
Read A Complaint Free World by Will Bowen
Laugh until your belly hurts, and then a little bit more
Listen more, talk less
Think hopefully and confidently about the future
Look for the good in people
Go to bed thankful for something that happened during the day

The Planning List (For the procrastinator who needs a plan.)

January: Plan and start saving for a destination vacation.
February: Broaden your horizons. Expand your range of interest, activity or knowledge by trying something new.
March: Purge all your drawers, cupboards and closets.
April: Review your financial plan and/or will.
May: Start and finish one home improvement project.
June: Self care weekend. At home or away, make a weekend of doing only things that You want to do for You.
July: Contact extended family and get together for an afternoon picnic .
August: Sign up for a fall class – yoga, painting, salsa dancing, etc.
September: Walk the mighty Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day
October: Plant bulbs for spring flowers.
November: Take that destination vacation you’ve been saving for all year.
December: Celebrate your successes and make a plan for next year.

The Impossible List* (For those who like a challenge)