Every year, I think we all hear the same thing: ‘What Are Your New Year’s Resolutions?’ And every year, many of us trot out a long list of resolutions that we likely have no intention of keeping. I used to be the worst for this sort of thing, I had no frame of reference for what a resolution should be other than hearing bad jokes on TV about them. So I would have some of the most unrealistic (at least for me) resolutions that I would try to make stick, things like: ‘I’m going to read two books a week’, ‘I’m going to cut out all junk food’ or one of my favourites ‘I’m going to work out every day and get down to 0% body fat’. Needless to say, I’ve never accomplished any of them. In fact, some years, I’d hit day two and blow it then just never go back. For a number of years, I gave up any sort of resolution because a) they never stuck and b) why does the beginning of the year have to always have a resolution? This year though, I’ve decided to start a bit of a resolution habit once again.
Like many of us, I had plans for 2020 that were sidelined. Between the pandemic and some unexpected family issues, my 2020 went from ‘completely on track’ to a complete mess by April. I mean, good for me for making it that far, but I feel like I need to start over again on what I was achieving last year. So this year, I came up with the idea that it was time to pick up where I left off and my one and only resolution is to form good habits. I know, it’s pretty basic, but that’s where I was headed. I was keeping up on my fitness, I was on track with finances, learning and reading…all because I had formed good habits. Habits that went out the window, unfortunately, when my situation changed. Back at it though and you know what? I started early. I’ve already started pushing myself to pick up these habits and I’m tracking them. I made myself a little check list of all the general good habits I wanted to form and I’m happy to report that I’m already filling them out. I didn’t get incredibly specific but here’s some things I’m working on daily:
Reading
Writing
Moving my body for at least 30 minutes
Taking my vitamins
Getting my stuff for the next day ready before bed
See? Nothing incredibly specific but that can come later. I don’t want to get overly specific because….well, we don’t really know what is going to happen this year. Last year was unprecedented and just because the calendar is changing, that doesn’t mean everything is going back to normal (as a matter of fact, we’re still a long way off from normal). So I’m simply going to do my best to make my year better. If I had to add something a little more vague and ‘high end’ to the list, I’d probably say ‘Be More Present For My Kids and Friends’. But I think that forming these good habits again, are going to be the steps that put me in the ‘Being Present’ mode. The best part of this habit resolution is that it’s manageable. Nothing that’s making my life harder, in fact it’s all making my life easier. A little more structure, some simple tweaks and I’m happier and more focused than I have been. No more letting myself down with big, vague, unattainable goals. Oh, and if I slip? Or this year knocks me for a loop again? No sweat, we shake it off, and start again. No waiting for the start of another year, starting can happen any time.
Do you make New Year resolutions? Have you made any for this year?
