As the clock ticks down, I hope I can shut off all the negativity of what wasn’t resolved in my little piece of the world and in myself. I was scrolling for articles online regarding new year’s resolutions, and compiled the most frequent top ten listings:
1.         Exercise More
2.         Lose weight
3.         Get organized
4.         Learn a new skill or hobby
5.         Live life to the fullest
6.         Save more money / spend less money
7.         Quit smoking
8.         Spend more time with family and friends
9.         Travel more
10.       Read more

I have made these resolutions over and over each year. I have only accomplished numbers 1, 3, 4, 5, and 10 most years. I am on the weight roller coaster and have decided to just be happy with it. If I lose, I lose. I have learned new skills this year but can’t say I do that every year. Am I living life to the fullest? I don’t know. I haven’t compared myself to other people lately. I do save money, but keep spending more (prices go up, things break, and there’s that darned kiddo in college). I don’t smoke so that’s one I can take off the list. I don’t spend enough time with family and friends. Too far to travel right now. And, travel, well, I do what I can when I can. So, five out of five for now.

Despite the best of intentions, once the glow of a fresh new year wears off, many people struggle to make good on their plans. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, only 46% of people who made New Year’s resolutions were successful. That means over half of the people who set a goal for the new year will fail!

The best solution is to decide that the resolutions become personal goals. That way, you will make a promise to yourself to get ‘er done. This could be your personal accountability for 2025. If you think about it as a sort of business plan for your life, you can set reasonable expectations and own it. I like to put things on my calendar and make deadlines. I remind myself that it’s okay if I miss a few, as long as I get most of them completed by the end of the year so I can let go of them. I try to stay motivated throughout the year and complete what I can. I don’t beat myself up if I don’t get them finished.

For 2025, I am allowing myself to let go of all the past projects and feelings and move onto new projects and feelings. I resolve to make minor changes in my attitude as well as others that surround me and not let as many things bother me. I resolve to take it one day at a time. I decided to complete one task on my ever-present enormous list each day to the extent it can be completed in a day. I resolve to be more realistic in my tasks and understand that it might take longer than I think it should. I resolve to always be in the present moment, help those who need help even at the expense of not finishing something, because they need me more. I resolve to be happy with what I have accomplished and stop the doubts, so my brain can rest. Finally, I resolve to keep sending out love to the universe so maybe that little bright spot in the sky will help those who are sad and lonely. Love to all and Happy New Year!