The Only New Year’s Resolution We Need

New Year’s resolutions turn out the same way for most of us. By the end of the first week of January, we have either forgotten or broken all the ones we promised ourselves THIS YEAR we would keep.
We dream big. We are going to lose weight. Exercise. Go to church. Call friends and relatives more regularly. Stop drinking. Stop smoking. Stop arguing with our spouse. Stop nagging our kids. Stop, stop, stop, stop!

Why do these good intentions go down the drain so quickly for most of us? Surely we all want to be better people and really, how hard would it be to just keep our mouths shut instead of repeating an unheeded nag we’ve said to a loved one a thousand times? Or not reaching for that second piece of pie
Social scientists who study this kind of thing say we don’t prepare for the things we want to happen. I would love to have a big, simmering pot of posole on the stove for dinner tonight. Just wanting it to happen definitely does not make the unmistakable aroma fill the air. I have to soak the chile pods, cube the pork, prepare the posole (I admit I just open a can!), and execute all the other steps before we can sit down and enjoy this New Mexican winter bowl of deliciousness.

Back to resolutions. If we are likely to fail in achieving even one of the resolutions we make this year, why not just resolve to be the same old person we were in 2024? Why look ahead at all? Is there anything we can do to make improvements?

I suggest there is one resolution we could all make AND all achieve. One that is easy to break down into small steps. One that will make a difference in our lives and the people we love.

Here it is: Take better care of myself. That’s it! “This year I am going to take care of myself.” So what are the steps to such a vague resolution? Take care HOW?

The answer to that will change throughout the day, but it will lead to some thought and decision-making that could be the start of meaningful change in our day and in our long term.

How can I take care of myself when I wake up in the morning? How can I take care of myself at work? How can I take care of myself when I interact with my family? How can I take care of myself when I choose my meal? How can I take care of myself when I go shopping? How can I take care of myself when I’m asked to do something I don’t have the time to do? How can I take care of myself when someone I love is not listening to me?

Our days are filled with challenges and choices. If each time we are confronted with something, we ask ourselves, “how can I take care of myself in this situation?” our resolution will start to happen.

One spoon of sugar instead of two in my coffee. Parking further from the store so I walk a little more.

Choosing a salad instead of french fries. Saying no to an unrealistic request. Cleaning out a closet instead of sitting in front of the TV. Not responding to an argument. Saving the money I might have spent on something I don’t need. Going to church instead of staying in bed. Making a dentist appointment. Asking for help. Keeping an unrequested opinion to myself.

All of these things might be the answer to taking better care of ourselves, and might just lead to some much bigger things.

Good luck and Happy New Year!