What difference does a single digit make? Try this. GOOD RIDDANCE to 2020 and welcome to 2021!
Happy to Look Forward? Me, Too
Obviously, 2020 has been a wretched year. Divisive. Destructive. Deadly. Truth itself has been battered and bruised, and arguably, the result has been the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives and millions of livelihoods.
Still, don’t you feel better just knowing that it’s 2021?
Okay, so there may be no discernible difference between the 31st of December and the 1st of a new year, but the psychological impact of moving from 2020 to 2021?
HUGE, don’t you think?
Despite the surreality we’ve experienced in this strange slog of a year, might we identify a few highlights or happy moments? For example, one of my friends wrote amazing lyrics and an incredible song. That. Was. FABULOUS.
Another friend rescued a slightly psychotic feral cat, and both are now living together in harmony.
Meanwhile, I’ve been babying my houseplants and they’re flourishing. No small feat in an apartment with little natural light, and moi without a green thumb.
Resolutions? Non, Merci
Now, on a related topic, I don’t make resolutions. Haven’t done so in years. I always failed to meet my (overly) ambitious goals, many to do with losing weight. And that, of course, was followed by the deflated feeling that I was doomed to repeat my mistakes forever.
Instead, rather than setting myself an explicit resolution, I choose a concept or principle. A verb, more often than not. A sort of watchword or phrase to keep in mind. Generally, this is more about inching toward healthier attitudes and behaviors framed in a way that doesn’t set me up for failure.
Examples?
Something like “focus” or “take more risks.” “Persist” is a long time favorite (and has been since before Senator Elizabeth Warren‘s “nevertheless”).
As for 2021…
Going for Simple…
I think I could use a handful of lighthearted reminders rather than a single North Star to guide me. For instance… Seek humor. Write more silly verse. Savor small successes.
Specifically, knowing that January is going to be something of a grim month, this is what I’m telling myself.
Savor every moment of contentment, satisfaction, or joy that can be found. And on the days when that’s impossible — when you’re disconsolate or distraught — cut yourself some slack.
Reality check: Our struggles in this moment aren’t much different than they were an hour ago. Or a day ago. As much as we might wish otherwise, the process of replacing that 0 with a 1, albeit a mood booster, can’t eradicate the troubled times we’re living through.
My Non-Resolution Resolution: Do the Best You Can
There’s something more that I’m telling myself to start the new year. Do the best you can. Actually, an old friend said that to me recently, and it isn’t the first time. It’s wise counsel, to which I’m adding the following. Forgive yourself when you screw up.
Now, accepting less than peak performance in myself is tough. That goes for behaviors and practices I (stubbornly) insist on returning to, like my No More Excuses (Over 50) Diet Plan, hoping to “adios” pandemic poundage. That goes for hall walking, too, my current form of exercise. And that certainly goes for my Laundry Will Have to Wait lifestyle… managing with handwashing in the bathroom sink and a huge supply of inexpensive t-shirts (replenished as needed until I can visit the laundromat safely again).
Maybe doing the best we can (and cutting ourselves some slack) is as good as it gets for now. And that doesn’t sound so bad.
By the way, another transition of 20 to 21 that I’m looking forward to? January 20 to January 21, the first full day of a new American administration. A sane administration. And legitimate, serious, fact-based approaches to tackling the mountain of challenges ahead.
I’m wishing all of you a new year of health and hopefulness. What about you? What are you looking forward to? How will you reset or rebuild as you move into 2021?
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Taste of France says
My resolution last year was to get in shape and to be able to run a 5K. I was making progress, and even stepped it up during our first lockdown, enjoying my hour out to run through the vineyards and get out of the house. I watched my resting heart rate go down, down, down on my FitBit as my cardio fitness improved.
But then I slipped and dislocated my elbow and it crashed to a halt. My resting heart rate went right back up and only recently, since I’ve been able to return to walks (I am now afraid to actually run for fear of tripping again), has it gone back to spring levels.
I guess the point is that the best-laid plans go astray, resulting in unintended consequences.
I certainly hope 2021 is better than 2020, for reasons other than the pandemic and politics. I wish you a better year, too, and hope you get the success you deserve. This blog is fantastic–so much better than most well-known sites. And I am sure others will avail themselves of your writing talents.
D. A. Wolf says
To work so hard and then be stopped by an injury! I understand how difficult that is, from my own experience over the course of many years. I have enormous empathy for what you’ve gone through. And I am very glad to hear that you’ve been able to get back out there and walk. Not only wonderful physically, but I imagine, mentally as well during these challenging times.
You make an excellent point in mentioning that we should hope for more and better not only in the realms of the pandemic and politics. Aren’t we all so much better off when we can look forward, setting goals and spinning dreams and working our way along to advance them? (I say as much with a nod to the delights of serendipity as well.)
Thank you for the good words about this blog. They are much appreciated. And I’m wishing you and your family a very healthy and happy year – including complete healing to that elbow.
Sue Burpee says
Happy New Year, D.A. Hope this one rolls out a bit differently than the last, even though the beginning may be a tad underwhelming. xo
D. A. Wolf says
Thank you, Sue. I don’t know about you, but underwhelming doesn’t seem so bad to me these days. Wishing you and yours a very healthy and happy 2021!