I’m a recent convert to the “School of Resolutions.” As a kid, the only list I made during December was my list for Santa Claus, whom I figured wasn’t real when I realized we didn’t have a chimney at home.
I tried resolutions in grade school, putting stuff like “buy stationery” on my list, which of course got ticked off as soon as I went to the nearest bookstore. To my seven-year-old self, resolutions were something that adults did, along with having boyfriends or girlfriends, and going to work.
True enough, I started thinking about New Year’s resolutions in college, where I turned into a semblance of an adult. At first, my resolutions were all in my head, and were indicative of my pursuits—get higher grades, read these books, watch these movies. Two years ago, I started writing them down on my planner, and most of them seemed to come straight from my mom, like “sleep early” or “eat less junk food,” both of which went out the window.
Last year, I made an exhaustive list, which I kept in my wallet, and which ranged from the practical—“Get a pair of white pants”—to the kooky—“Read ‘Invictus’ after waking up, every morning.” I ended up completing less than half of that year’s list. I did, however, get two pairs of white pants.
What I’ve found is that, if you decide to join the world in making this post-Christmas list, there are a couple of things you might want to keep in mind, so it becomes more of a to-do list, and less of a one-way ride to frenzy and madness. When done right, New Year’s resolutions can be a way to expand your horizons and give you something to look forward to than jumping to become taller.
1. Remember your resolutions. A relative once told me she keeps her resolutions secret, as a promise to herself. A friend writes them down in a notebook she carries around. Others put them in planners, or post them on their blogs.
However you decide to commit it to memory, make sure you can recall your resolutions easily. It reminds you of what you want to accomplish, makes it easier to tick off and easier to share, so you can link up with friends who have common goals and get the support you need. It’s a surefire way to make sure you don’t leave your resolutions in the dust.
Between practical and exciting
2. Strike a balance. When you’re trying to make 525,600 minutes count, it’s odd how people start measuring their life in a rush. Now, we’re not Adam Sandler in “Click,” so make sure you strike a balance between the practical and the exciting. It’s good to have something relatively easy (like going on a city-wide food trip with friends) and something difficult (like getting an iPhone 4S, or getting over your fear of heights) on your list. The fulfillment you get with every goal you accomplish will make you more eager, and more ready to take on the rest of your resolutions. Once you realize that you can keep these resolutions, you might just step it up and surprise yourself.
3. One at a time. Resolutions are like fireworks—every once in a while, you need a little “boom!” in your life. Think of resolutions as a way to shake up your year, and not just something you have to rally through, like finals or the last leg of a workout. If you give yourself enough space between resolutions, not only do you ensure that you have everything you need to get it done, but you can also ensure that you’re in it 100 percent.
4. Go a little crazy. Your list should have room for at least one thing you thought you would never do. Skydive. Finish a novel during NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). Play your favorite video game at the most difficult level. Dye your hair orange. Going wild lets you discover a part of yourself you never thought was there, or one you knew was just dying to get out. As long as it won’t earn you a stay in jail, or hurt you or anyone, it must be worth a try.
5. It’s for you. Your New Year’s resolutions aren’t the grocery list, a to-do list, or a collection of your parents’/relatives’/friends’ favorite things to remind you. Every resolution is an opportunity for you to enjoy, discover, create “you” as you are, right now. It’s an opportunity to take care of yourself. So when you’re making that list, check it twice and see if you’ve got your best interests in mind. If it sounds like somebody else’s list, well, it’s theirs to keep.
New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be as painful as getting your teeth pulled out. Do it right, and those resolutions can be the key to seeing the world like never before, making new friends and making sure the joy and excitement you feel will stay with you throughout the year. Happy writing!