It’s THAT time of the year — again [sigh]
My inbox and social media feeds are filled with mail/posts selling me on the advantages of:
- planners
- courses about planning
- products on how to use AI to make my year “better” “great” “etc.”
- health-related info on starting the year off the “right” way
- making resolutions [personal and business]
- and more…
Except for the AI which is sort of new this year — the posting and the emails are the same every December and January.
But last year some of it started back earlier in the Fall because everyone knows:
“I have to get your attention about January 2024 in the middle of the summer or early fall or else you won't buy my product.”
It’s fine if you do the above - and even better if making resolutions works for you…
I no longer make them.
I used to.
I’d read a lot of that “how to succeed” stuff, that “guru” stuff, that “my friends say this works” stuff, and would make a list of what I would accomplish in the upcoming year….
Then at some point during the year, I’d look at my resolution list and laugh [or cry] as so little of it ever got done! Or done with any degree of consistency.
So I stopped making New Year resolutions. It seemed to not be good for my mental health OR my productivity. My brain doesn't like lists!!
I've discovered that I am not alone. Many, if not most, people did not follow theirs either.
Especially these:
"I am going to exercise every day” resolution or “I am going to lose X pounds this year” or “I am going to lose 5 pounds a month.”
And work-related resolutions?
The “I will write a post a day,” or “I will write a book before Summer,” or I will do X by Y time frame.
Ditto the very popular “I will be making $XXX a month by the end of March or April” type of resolution.
These resolutions generally do not work.
Why? We tend to set impossible resolutions or standards for ourselves. They are often more wishful thinking than actual planned-out behaviors. Not sticking to these resolutions may make us feel like failures so early in the new year, and yes, the ad people play into this guilt.
Watch ads early in the year and note those aimed at making us feel guilt and shame over NOT keeping resolutions. They may not be direct, but they are aimed at guilt making!!
my insteads
With two major professional degrees and several accolades, I know I am not a failure.
I actually CAN and DO accomplish things - but I have ceased the resolution-type thinking and adopted a more casual approach to my life. It took some hard work on my part to re-think the business/life model that keeps telling us we “need” to make a yearly, monthly, daily plan… or else!
I choose "or else"
Opting for the “or else” works for me!
Every choice can be the “correct way!"
I let my mind wander!
I now enjoy late December/early January as we get an added minutes of daylight every afternoon.
I use this light/dark scenario to reflect, have fun, and think about my work - but not make any of this into resolutions,
to-do lists, or anything tightly scheduled!
I do a non-journal kind of journaling
I call it my mental meandering but it’s more like a brain dump. This is one activity I do most every day but without the “I must do it” kind of thinking, so I often don't do this. And that’s okay!
Apple has made this easier for me as they released a journal app and I have started using that app - but still not every day - I figure a few days a week [maybe] works for me.
Lynn, I love the pictures you shared of Paul Bunyon. I am a Minnesota native and these pics bring back memories of when I was a kid and we went to Paul Bunyon Land in Brainerd, MN LOL This is my favorite time of year and I love walking along the trails that we have here in Spokane, WA — I always come home with something to use for my crafts or pictures to add to the scrapbook 😉 Thanks for sharing this post!!! I love it!!!!
The Bunyon statue got a coat of paint and looks so much better. It sits in the Kenton neighborhood of Portland and is a landmark. I too pick stuff up when walking on beaches or in the woods and use it for “projects.” Glad to know I’m not the only one. I have an old lobster pot I once found that keeps moving with me – some day I’ll make a table from it.
I love to walk. I walk primarily for exercise but it helps my moods, and I do my best thinking while walking. By the way, was the tree photo taken in the spring? Or do you have trees in bloom in Oregon now?
Alana – these photos were from this past Spring. Leaves are falling now. I find walking helps me think too – as long as I walk in non-traffic areas. Thanks for the comment.
Lynn
I used to run every day for 7 miles. Now as I get older and things start moving a little slower attend the walk a lot more. The walks are really enjoy the trails through the forest here in Western Washington. It’s amazing what you can see me actually slow down and enjoy things around you.
Clint – thank you for your comment. I love walking – cities or forests. You are right – it’s great to slow down and actually look at your surroundings. We are usually in too much of a hurry.
Lynn
Thank you for the comment – none of us walk as much as we “should” – so I’m glad to nudge you – [and by posting this I get myself going too :-)]
Lynn
I enjoy the scenery when I do walk; but I don’t walk as much as I should but this has given me a push to walk a little more.
my comment to you landed below 🙂
I absolutely LOVE walking, too.The process of walking for me is so much slower and contemplative even than biking (which I enjoy very much, too, but when I want to be less meditative).
Thank you – walking is meditative. Maybe that’s why I do so much walking – it helps me think. When on my bike or skis – the thoughts come but I tend to keep them on hold til I stop to view the scenery. [safety first :-)]
Lynn