Boomer Journey…

Confound It Those Darned New Year’s Resolutions

New Year’s resolutions never seem to come to fruition. Oh sure, we proclaim our plan for the coming year at the stroke of Midnight and start to work on it when the sun rises—or do we? Oftentimes it becomes the following Monday, then, next Saturday and it fades from your mind only to surface around Midnight of the next New Year’s—and the next. Take heart, you’re in good company. Most of us struggle with the same thing. It isn’t so much about a New Year’s resolution, but instead procrastination over the things we really don’t want to do, but feel like we have to. Guilt is what brings these New Year’s resolutions back every year.

Here’s my justification for copping out on New Year’s resolutions.  Feel guilt over the things you should feel guilty about and banish this unnecessary and evil monster from the things you shouldn’t. “I’m going to lose weight…” is the easily the most common New Year’s resolution.  Maybe we should strive to be healthier and not focus so much on the scale.  This is especially important as we grow older because no one wants to spend their twilight years in a wheelchair or in a nursing care facility. Staying at home and being able to navigate under your own power is always better than depending on someone to take care of you. Go play with the grandkids. Dance around the family room. Take a walk around the block. Baby steps. You will get there.

We often set unrealistic goals at the dawn of the New Year. Resolving to take a trip around the world when you’re on a limited income isn’t a realistic goal. However, it can be a good long range plan if you can put money away for a rainy day. A more realistic plan is to tour the country, your state, or your community ideally at “see” level, where you can view the world from your car and be able to stop and take in the scenery. If you’d rather fly to a place you’ve always wanted to go, investigate airline travel packages that include hotels and rental cars. Look for the best deals and great service. What’s more, you want a terrific experience after you land.

Maybe you’d like to spruce up your home, which is looking rather dated these days and hasn’t been renovated since the disco era. Time to ditch the velour sofa and that Early American living room furniture purchased from the Monkey Ward when you were 30 and it was all you could afford. That dusty old console TV just doesn’t measure up to an affordable flat screen. And, my friends, sell that 8-Track player and collection of tapes on eBay and opt for a Google Home, which takes up less space than the 8-Track. Do things that make you feel good about your home. Even a good through housecleaning can improve your outlook on life and it’s free.

Easily the best New Year’s resolution is to resolve to be kind to others even when your heart isn’t in it. Reach out. Smile. Say hi to others. Check on a neighbor. Call a friend you haven’t talked with in a while. Now that’s a New Year’s resolution we can keep.

Happy New Year…

—Jim Smart