New Year’s Resolutions…so last decade?

By Cheryl Ryan

I’m a bit behind in making my resolutions this year, but I didn’t make any last year. So, I’m going for late rather than none in 2024.  

I’m hearing from millennials that New Year’s Resolution lists are out. Choosing a single word or phrase for the year is in. The reasoning is that setting your intention is less pressure and more achievable than checking off items from a list.

I’ve been making resolution lists for more years than I care to admit, and they’ve worked pretty well for me. I’ve typically checked off three-quarters of my resolutions each year. In fact, I’m not sure I would’ve achieved some of my loftier goals without my list.

Learning Spanish was the exception. I never learned Spanish. I just kept rolling it into the following year. One year, I changed to ‘take a Spanish class’ because, according to that year’s resolution expert, a more bite-sized goal could be more achievable. I took the Spanish class but still didn’t learn Spanish. Ten years is enough. It seems I don’t want it bad enough.

This year, I’m combining strategies. I’m using an overall word with a list to back it up. My word is Creativity. Last year was a noncreative year, and I really miss it. I like the idea of an overall word because I might be able to apply creativity to things I wouldn’t typically think of as creative.

But since I’m a committed list maker, I’m backing up my word/phrase up with a list of goals. No matter the prevailing wisdom, I’m going to use proven strategies for myself. I’m excited about my list and the upcoming year’s potential. I’m glad to be back in the resolution game.

Wish me luck. And good luck to you, whichever way you choose to enter the year. Cheers to many successes in 2024.