New Year’s Resolutions That No One is Making (But Perhaps They Should) 10 Years Later

New Year’s Resolutions That No One is Making (But Perhaps They Should) 10 Years Later

Ten years ago I wrote a post, 12 New Year’s Resolutions That No One is Making (But Perhaps They Should).  This post continues to live HERE on our website and I believe that the resolutions on that list have stood the test of time and are still relevant today.  

However, a lot can happen in a decade.

Technological advances, the rise of social media, social and political unrest, phones evolving into an extra (and “necessary”) appendage, the birth of artificial intelligence, a world wide pandemic, and the list could go on.

It’s been a crazy decade and I feel like I’m living in an entirely different world.

So on the year anniversary of my original post I wanted to give my resolutions a little bit of an update.

Below I’ve compiled another dozen resolutions…some are the same, some are similar, and some are brand new….but all of them are ones that would be solid additions to any goal making list.

Let’s count them down:

#1. Consume Less

We live in a culture of more…more things, more money, more comments, more electronics, more power, more likes, more visibility, more status, more influence, more everything.

Meanwhile we are also navigating a tug of war between one time use, fast fashion, throw away, dispose of, YOLO attitudes and a mentality of scarcity, accumulating, and hoarding.

It is exhausting.

Let’s use what we have.

Let’s try, in whatever small way we can, to create less waste.

Let’s realize that what we have may actually be enough.

Whether it be junk food, social media, gossip, fake news, or fast fashion now maybe be the best time ever to start consuming less.

#2. Be Present

Speaking of social media….

Cell phones are cool. Honestly they are freaking amazing.

With them I can call, text, take pictures, send emails, play games, jam to music, listen to a podcast, read a book, check the weather, find my friends, and 8.2 billion other things.

However, what can connect us with one another at a moments notice is slowly disconnecting us from our loved ones and….at times…reality.

Daily I watch people disengage from those around them as their eyes glaze over and their thumb mindlessly doom scrolls their screens. Sheesh! Sometimes I am the person glazed over on the couch watching cats being jerks or checking out the best haircuts for women over 40.

Meanwhile…what am I missing out on? My kids, my cat, the sunset, that walk I say I am too busy to go on, or finishing up that book I started for ever ago…it’s time to wake up, refocus, clear out of the fog, and be present.

The world is still here…and it’s pretty cool…and we are missing it.

#3. Disengage

Ok ,ok, I know I just said to be present and now I’m saying disengage….but I swear this isn’t contradictory! Let me explain….another name for this goal might be “avoid drama” or “preserve your energy”.

No one has convinced others of the errors of their ways by long comment thread rants on Facebook.

People post wrong information. People are mean. And those people will fight you to the death to be both wrong and mean. Don’t waste your time and energy on them. The comment chains can go on forever.

Don’t get sucked in.

Roll your eyes then take a deep breath and carry on IN REAL LIFE being the light that you are and doing your bit of where it counts…in your home, school, community, city, etc….you know places that actually exist…and where your voice and actions can have the most impact.

#4. Check Your Sources AKA Don’t Believe (and Share) Everything You Read

As we continue rolling into a new era of Artificial Intelligence and misinformation we need to be ever more careful about what we consume and take as truth. Check your sources. And for the love double check your sources if you are going to share something terrible, scary, or ugly on social media….we don’t need anymore terrible…especially if it is untrue.

#5. Shop Local

In a world full of big box stores…some of which I shop at…remember to shop local. Local business owners are magical, experts at their craft…cooking, baking, writing, crafting, creating, etc.

And it’s hard work!!!

But it is done with love and passion and soul.

Shop local when you can…small business, farmers market, family run restaurants. Not only will you buy something made with expertise you will help support those in your own community!

#6. Don’t Forget Your Mental Health

Your mental health is so important…and so often something we neglect. We just push forward, we work harder, try harder, bury our feelings…but it’s starting to catch up.

Go to counseling, take a walk, start a gratitude journal, meditate….do what you need to do for your mental health. We need you here.

#7. Be Thankful….Notice the Good

There is a lot of dark, scary, and ugly in the world…and it has a way of being seen and acknowledged. But the good, it is often overlooked and can slip by unnoticed or un appreciated. However, the more we notice the good the more we see the glimmers of light the easier it is to stay calm, focused, and hopeful.

There is still good in the world…sometimes we just need to look for it.

#8. Rediscover Who You Are and What You Like and Don’t Like

We get older. And without realizing it our tastes change.

Maybe I might enjoy weighted power walking…something I used to make fun of. Maybe I’ve out grown the crackers I mindlessly buy and eat and now want to try something else.

Maybe I want to try new recipes, growing indoor plants, or maybe I want to pick up something I used to love but haven’t done for decades…water color painting, jogging, or writing.

Let’s rediscover who we are and what we really love.

#9. Find Quiet Time

Everyday we are surrounded by so much noise…traffic, the phone, the computer, television, radio…it gets hard to think.

Try to carve out a few minutes of quiet for yourself…to be alone and quiet…to recharge and center yourself.  Everyone needs down time, if only for a few minutes.

As a full time teacher and a full time mom of teenagers I KNOW this can be a tall order. Quiet time to myself is hard to come by. Sometimes it simply looks like me, sitting in my car in the driveway for a few minutes after work, resetting myself before walking into the house…but oh how I need those solitary few minutes.

#10. Speak Kindly to Yourself

Sometimes that voice inside your head can be a real jerk.

Negative self talk and thoughts can creep in so easily. Especially in a time where it so often seems that no matter what you are doing it is wrong.

Tell the voice to shape up…and start talking to yourself like you would to a friend that you love and want the best for.

#11.  MIND YOUR MANNERS

Please.  Thank you.  You Are Welcome.  Such short easy words to say….but rarely ones I hear anymore.

And how about holding the door for someone else…even if they are a stranger?  

Or waiting for a pedestrian to cross the road?

Manners are still wonderful and still appreciated. Let’s bring them back.

#12.  DRINK MORE WATER

When is the last time you drank your 8-10 glasses of water per day?

That is what I thought.

Clean it up!  And drink it down.

(Your skin, eyes, and kidneys will thank you.)

After 10 years I still need to include this on my list. Sheesh. It is amazing my body hasn’t dried up and blown away by now.

So after a decade, that is it. The updated list.

It’s not perfect, but neither am I.

So I’m off to go visit with my kids before bed, write in a gratitude journal, drink some water and go to sleep. Tomorrow is another school day and I will have students waiting at my door in the morning and I need to be ready.

Happy New Year everyone.

Let’s make this year a good one….for each other and ourselves.