For the third year in a row, I find myself saying, “Gee, I hope this year will be better than last year!” Are you feeling that way too?
I’m kind of over the predicting thing. My predicter has been off for so long, it seems like a waste of time to guess about anything.
Also, I’m not wasting time making resolutions. I don’t know a single soul, myself included, who can honestly say they adhered to even one of their resolutions throughout the year.
Instead of making New Year’s Resolutions, how about this year we make a New Year’s List.
One suggestion for making a list New Year’s list is to start off with a recap of 2018: what you did and didn’t accomplish; what worked for you and what didn’t, and your successes and failures (which, as Oprah says, if you had fun, it wasn’t a failure).
While the list could be physical things you want, I think the list should include everything you want to accomplish this year. Be realistic. Be specific.
Here are some suggestions for things you might want to accomplish in 2019:
~Write a short story, memoir piece or poem about something that recently caught you up short
~Create a list of places where you plan to travel
~Commit to fifty random acts of kindness
~Apologize for a past transgression
~Buy ten toys for ten needy kids
~Donate whatever $$ you can to save or neuter kitties at your local shelter
~Purchase a magazine subscription for a friend and don’t let them know it’s from you
~Commit to ___ number of hours of alone time per week
~Give up one favorite but toxic food
My list, which includes making 100 white origami cranes, is focused completely away from current events. Nothing that takes place in politics or on social media will impact my list or my accomplishing any of the pieces on it. Items on my list include writing more each day and making quality quiet time to read. I can expand my list with specific steps to accomplish each item.
I’m looking for fun and creativity and for ways to stay sane when the world around me flip flops with angst and negativity. Those are my goals.
Finally …
Write down anything that comes to you. There are no right or wrong items. Prioritize the items after you think you’ve thought of everything. This could be a working list that you add to and check as the year goes on.
Don’t let the people or issues around you define your year or any of its days. You have the power to create the kind of year you want for yourself.
Join me in making this is a Happy New Year!
Have the happiest New Year! I plan to make my New Year’s list and complete it for 2019.
And all the best in 2019 for you as well, Dottie.
Thanks for reading!
Happy New Year 2019 to you Antonia! What a good idea making a New Years list rather than resolutions. I must say though I actually did make ONE resolution this year, which will be good for my soul. I won’t say it here as it is political 🙂 but so far it is going very well, I feel a renewed sense of calm within my self. I like your origami project, good wishes for that. I am curious as to what sparked the idea. From your list I will commit to 50 random acts of Kindness. So, onwards and upwards in to the new year! And thank you for all you do to bring inspiration in to our daily lives.
Ohhhhh, Cathleen, what a nice commitment to make during 2019. I wish you the best in your random acts of kindness! My origami crane project came about because I’ve seen beautiful installations of tons of paper cranes hanging from the ceiling, and I have space in my office for that many. I’ve taught origami for kids, and I love working with paper.
As always, thank YOU for continuing to support me and my work! xo