Resolutions
This is the week in which we think and write down those changes we want to make for the coming year.
Image by PPDigital
We want to stop smoking, lose weight, be kinder to those we love. We want to be better humans or maybe prove that we can finish something. There are dreams rumbling in our hearts and brains that want to come out. Goals and end results that want to be made.
Maybe you do it by completing a marathon, finish writing that book, getting that degree, making partner, becoming a doctor.
Blogs fill the internet with people working on a goal, a list, a quest. It might be Robert reading the Time’s list of the best books of the modern age. Or maybe it is Maura’s list of 36 things to do before her 37th birthday. Then there is one of the most famous quest blogs – that of Julie cooking every recipe in Julia Child’s cookbook.
We see others striving and making it. I see people in the film business who cannot do anything but make movies. I admire people who start their businesses and see it through good times and bad. I wish I was that brave.
I haven’t written my resolution list yet. I know a few things I want on it. Such as having most of my debt gone by the time I reach 50 in two years. Finish the novel that has stalled. Keeping up with my writing group (those people are kick-ass and I love it). Find a sense of purpose because right now I do not have one.
That is the point of resolutions. They give us a direction, something to strive for, a goal. Those ten pounds don’t lose themselves, we have to work at it to make them go away.
Image by Seeman
I say this knowing my oldest is going through the same thing but he is about to turn 20. It is ok for a 20-year-old to feel this way but a 40-something feeling this way is just cliché. Worse yet, I don’t have the money for the little red convertible to go with a mid-life crisis.
While I am muddling through, what I want to know from all of the people who stop by and read my words is how you have gotten through something similar or what resolutions you are planning for this upcoming year.
Happy New Year.
Editor Note: I found this post on finding direction on Freshly Pressed today. I really liked it and hope it helps others who are stuck in place for the moment as I am.
Notes from Rumbly Cottage 
I’m considering working on minute to minute goals – I seem to be a total flop at anything greater than that. Good luck to you!
It’s not cliche. First resolve to be gentle with yourself – that’s not give yourself excuses, but be realistic. Develop short term and long term goals. (With benchmark deadlines) and post those where you see them. Be brave. (So you get things wrong sometimes -so what. It’s not a waste. Besides you have to know what you don’t want in order to know what you do want.) Get enough sleep, exercise, and eat fresh atleast half of the time. (So your brain will work optimum level).
Laugh a lot. Look for small treasures and miracles. (They are there to discover.) Explore whimsy. And just be you. (You are quite wonderful – people just forget to tell you.) Now get out there and go for the goal line. (It’s easier than you think – your purpose is waiting for you…patiently.)
You have a writing group, are they local? can I come?.. c
They are in Kankakee. Still interested?
I muddle through moments by writing and talking. I also allow myself the freedom to escape – a night a hotel or a day in my room. Not out of depression – just a getaway for myself.
And resolutions? I’ve never been one to make resolutions. One need not wait until Jan. 1st to make changes or strive for something else. Just do it – or allow yourself to not do it.
I don’t know. I’ve stared at this ‘Leave a reply’ box for over 20 minutes now. My head is in a fog. See what happens when I try to focus on resolutions?! (smile) Happy New Year, Karyn. I look forward to reading your words.
Ok, so don’t go for the “little red” convertible. Try something a little bigger. My Sebring wasn’t that expensive. Craigslist is full of inexpensive convertibles. You can get a cute little Mazada Miata for about $2000.
Alot of us muddle through life. And I’m damn tired of it. So there are going to be some changes this coming year. And a lot of people aren’t going to be happy. But it’s not about their happiness. It’s about mine. Yes, I’m being narcissistic. Things aren’t going to happen unless you make them. So, I’m going to make them happen. I hope I can share some of it my blog.
So, go get your mid life crisis car. You’ll feel so much better!
Ditto to what PhilosopherMouse said – especially about being gentle with yourself. I’m OCD about To Do Lists, but I never do more than 50% of anything on them because they overwhelm me so much. And that’s pretty much what happens with my resolutions, too. Set short-term and long-term goals, but be gentle and kind by doing something nice for yourself when you accomplish them and giving yourself permission to not achieve them. That helps me achieve 60% of all that I set out to do. I figure 60% is better than 0%! And there’s something to be said about just being motivated to set some resolutions! This Freshly Pressed blogger had some good advice: http://followjonathan.wordpress.com/2011/12/22/5-keys-to-making-and-keeping-your-new-year-resolutions/
Wishing you all the best in the New Year!
AA
I forgot to mention that my birthday is on Sunday. Yes, that day. I think it makes me more anxious than I should be.
My life is divided into semesters. I run to a job I love and wears me out at the same time. I keep a calendar so I can write in a good movie to watch, a book to read,…lately, I’m into cleaning out old stuff from drawers and closets and bookshelves…throw out, donate, getting rid of the old stuff helps lighten my load. Suggestion: Learn something new because that alone will propel you along the way.
Keep writing. You’re good at it.
I don’t make resolutions. I live by a set of ethical guidelines that would cover just about any typical New Year’s resolution anyway. We all muddle through life. I think that’s what life is about–discovery during the muddling!