Here We Are Again

Here we are again, the start of a new year. I was saying to my husband that I am glad 2023 is over. It was just one of those years and everything was overshadowed by my less-than-successful knee surgery. Ironically, though, when I looked at the 2023 photo album Geoff put together, I realized that while my overarching memory was of a tough year, in reality there were a lot of great moments. I was happy he took the time to do the book as I needed the reminder!

Also once again my inbox is full of new year’s resolution type emails, “How to be your best self” and “How to live the life you want in 3 easy steps.” You get the picture. Unfortunately none of these resonate with me or inspire me this year.

Instead these messages feel trite, overdone, and designed to elicit a sense of not being enough, which I find off-putting. They seem more about radical self-transformation and selling a silver bullet that will make your life perfect. However, the truth is that leading the life you want is about intentionality, small habits, and goals, not standalone, grand resolutions.

Beyond Resolutions to Intention

I woke up on January 1st and as I welcomed the new year, my first thought was, “I like my life.  A lot!” So over coffee I decided to start my year off with a big dose of gratitude. I grabbed my journal and made a list of the people and activities which bring me joy, make me happy, and keep me grounded (and yes Geoff, you were at the top).

I also decided that instead of piling on resolutions and setting big goals for the year, I would double down on my gratitude list. I will make more time for those people and activities on my list, rather than chasing the idea of the moment “guaranteed” to change my life. Because by 53, I now have a good idea of what works for me and what does not and where I might need to tweak things.

Now this does not mean I won’t take up new challenges, set new goals, or establish more productive habits. Change is inevitable and I always want to be moving forward. I know over the course of the next 12 months there will be moments which will be disappointing, decisions which will not turn out as planned, and actions which will have run their course. All these will require new goals, ways of being, or new habits. I will deal with these situations as they arise. But given how I am generally feeling about my life, it feels like these will be more like tweaks rather than big, aggressive corrections.

In the meantime, I am going to try to be more present, take one day at a time, and do as my youngest son advised, “Save setting goals for when you feel your life is off track and you need to get it back on track.” Pretty wise advice for a 16 year-old!

So I guess for the moment I am going to relax and go with the flow and see where my current path takes me. And if it starts to veer in a direction which seems unsuitable or if I start to feel unfulfilled, I will take the appropriate actions to get myself back on track.

Parting Thought

Happy New Year. May 2024 be full of opportunities to experience joy, love, and adventure.

To be continued…