Resolutions – The Writers in Residence

Yeah, yeah, I know. Nobody makes resolutions at New Year’s anymore. A least not ones they can keep beyond the 31^st of January. (Surveys report that 47% of resolution makers can’t keep them until February 1^st.)

WHY?

I have some suggestions, tips, and encouragements if you really want to change something in your life/writing in 2022.

From the Hints From Heloise column, I found these believable suggestions.

Be specific.

Don’t vow to “Lose weight” but, to Lose 20 pounds by May 1^st.
Don’t vow to “Exercise more” but, to Walk 2 miles a day for 4 days a week.
Don’t vow to “Write more in 2022” but, to Write 2 chapters, or 2,000 words, or a complete short story or article each week.

2. Then add your answer to the question, “why?”

Because I’m too young to be heavy and it makes me look matronly.
Because walking is healthy for me, and the kids (dogs, Hubby) can go with me.
Because I’m a writer and I want to finish my book and/or publish my work.

Put these (your) resolutions on 3×5 cards and tape them to your bathroom mirror. Read them aloud to yourself every morning.
Keep track of your progress.
Reward yourself when you accomplish each one!

(If you try this, let me know how it works!)

Hey, have you heard this one? “I was going to quit all my bad habits for 2022. But then I remembered: Nobody likes a quitter!”

Here’s a unique take from The Victoria Magazine, letters, Jan/Feb.

Says Wendy J. “Decades ago, a friend and I came up with the idea of “un-goals” instead of resolutions. This gave us permission to give up things we detested! I gave up zucchini. For years I had tried one recipe after another to use the piles of this vegetable that I received from neighbors’ gardens or the market. I finally decided that they all tasted the same because I truly dislike zucchini!”

Do you have something you really dislike and will renounce in 2022?

(Let me know, and I’ll rejoice with you!)

Do you have a (mental) list of what you want to do “someday?” Here are a few examples: (I love #2.)

Finish the book I’m writing
Spend a season living abroad
Read that stack of books I’ve been accumulating
Add weight training to my workouts
Plan day trips with my family
Schedule those _____________ lessons I promised myself I would take

Resolve to move these from the “Someday” to the “In-progress” column.

(Maybe I’ll join you on those lessons!)

From Cathy Baker’s Creative Pauses Facebook group, Dec 31, 2021. Choose a word or two as a theme for 2022. (Easier than a whole resolution.)

There are many websites that can suggest words to you, or give you ideas. Think of your goals/hopes for the New Year, and use these or other sites to help you choose. Some even give you ideas on how to make the word stick for 365 days.

https://elisabethmcknight.com/word-of-the-year-ideas/

(Scroll down to the 100-word list at the bottom, Abundance to Zest.)

https://www.happinessishomemade.net/word-of-the-year-ideas-one-little-word/

(Schroll down to the 150-word, printable, non-alphabetized list.)

OR… for heaven’s sake, we are writers & readers… pick your own. Haha!

(Let me know if you pick one and what it is, or maybe keep it secret.)

Here are some suggestions from the Orange County Register newspaper, on the personal side, with specific fill in the blanks.

Mend a relationship with _______________.
Be more kind to _________________.
Call _______________ whom you haven’t spoken to in a long time.
Adopt or foster a ___________ (animal) and take good care of it.

(Or sponsor a child.)

From an article in The Epoch Times:

Get inspired by reading blogs you love (like The Writers in Residence).
Begin with tiny stuff – make it a habit that is “too easy NOT to do.”
Find a friend or family member for support.
And lastly, don’t call them NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS, rename them as “January Objectives” or maybe even “Today’s List.”

(And check those buggers off! I’ll celebrate with you.)

For me, three for ’22: