Have a Happy New Year with No More Resolutions

How many times have you made a New Year’s resolution, only to break it? I’ve only done it a few times before giving up on resolutions altogether. I have nothing against resolutions, as long as they are resolutions one can keep. The problem? The resolutions that are easy for me to keep are not worth keeping, much less making in the first place. The resolutions worth making, I can never keep, and what’s worse, I beat myself up for failing.

So instead of doing the resolution rigmarole, I have created a list of things I’ve always wanted to do or try. Since, I will never be able to complete the list in one year, I don’t feel guilty for failing, and I don’t beat myself up for not completing my “pledge list.” Plus, the list is always changing as I complete some tasks and replace them with others. Among the items on my Pledge List that I’ve completed: getting a college degree, making money writing, learning to draw, and letting my artistic side cut loose more often. Here are a few of the items currently on my Pledge List.

Reading for Pleasure. I read a lot, but I have gotten into the habit of only reading material I can use for my writing. I am working on reading more books and magazines, for the sheer pleasure of reading. I am not placing limits on my reading such as how many books I should read, how fast I should any books, or a definitive list of titles that I must read. There are a few books that I really want to read, and after that, I’ll read whatever else interests me, or whatever books and magazines people give me - the reading materials which they have found pleasure in reading.

Brushing Up on PowerPoint. I haven’t had a need for this in awhile, but it might be helpful to keep my skills up in case I get a job outside my home office that may require it. I will also include the rest of Microsoft Office programs that I don’t use regularly. They may not help my writing, but they are worth knowing how to use.

Hobbies. For this resolution category, I’ve have already started by renewing some old hobbies that I have put aside, like crocheting and needlepoint. I’ve continued some that I have recently learned like drawing with pastels and photography. And I have added a few more than I will attempt to learn soon – wood burning, calligraphy, origami.

Be Healthier. This is a gray area for me, one resolution where I have consistently failed. Dieting and losing weight have been my nemesis since the dawn of New Year’s Resolutions. Every time I lose the weight, I end up gaining it all back – and then some. My resolution list version includes getting some exercise and trying to make better food choices, without the added failure inducing stress of having to lose weight. If I lose weight and keep it off, I'll be tickled pink. But losing weight and keeping it off is no longer he goal because of my history of failure and beating myself up for that failure. My pledge list version also includes getting outside more for some fresh air and sunshine, since writing keeps me indoors so much.

Learning Something New. This one’s easy; probably too easy. I love learning new things. The best part about it is that I get to write about the new things I’m always learning.

Having a Weekly Personal Date. I used to do this all the time, and loved it. But I have gotten lazy and slacked off. I need to create a list of places I’d like to go on these personal dates and go out and do them again. I loved my play dates and I will love them again.

I wouldn’t mind adding a few more. If anyone has suggestions, let me know. What’s on your Pledge List?