Welcome to the new year!  Who knows what it will bring?  If the recent past has taught me anything it is that there is no possible way to know and it will probably be much more sci-fi/post-apocalyptic than we ever could have imagined.  I’m ready!  Let’s do this!

Are you a New Year’s resolution person?  I know lots of people are.  I know exactly one person that actually tries to stick with and accomplish them.  I am not that person, it’s my pilates instructor.  Figures.  But this year I have a new outlook.  I decided to adapt (steal) some ideas that were posted on instagram.

The first idea was from a food person I follow on Instagram.  For the life of me, I can’t remember who and I can’t find it through my searching.  I’m so sorry to not give them credit because it was a genius idea.  Instead of New Year’s Resolutions, how about New Year’s Bucket Lists?  Yes please!  This is something I can get behind.  This is something exciting.

I have been wanting to go to City Foundry and J’s Pitaria for months!  I will go to both of these places in 2022.  I can’t wait to try some waffles at City Foundry and some sandwiches at J’s Pitaria.  I have it narrowed down to two sandwiches and will probably have to get both. And see, just by making it a 2022 bucket list item, it feels like an accomplishment.  Like something I can cross off a list.  I cannot overstate how much I enjoy crossing things off lists.

What are your passions?  Start your New Year’s bucket list from there.

• Do you like to travel?  Go see a new place in your own state!
• Do you love to cook?  Try a new breakfast, lunch, appetizer, dinner and dessert recipe in 2022.
• Do you love your friends but feel too busy to see them?  Carve time out to have lunch with a friend(s) once a month; the third Wednesday of every month is for catching up.
• Do you love self-care but feel guilty taking the time?  Forget that!  No one else feels guilty taking time for themselves; you shouldn’t either.  Take a walk once a week all by yourself just listening to music. Or buy a cheap beauty mask at Target.  Or go sit in a park without your phone and just enjoy nature.  Or give yourself a manicure.  Whatever your definition of self care is, Do It!
• Want to be Bob Ross?  Try painting a happy little tree on a canvas with actual oil paint.
• Figure out something you really want and Bucket List it!

The second idea is more of a traditional “resolution” type thing.  But, it is not about getting healthier.  Don’t get me wrong.  I’m all for being healthier but this needs to be a lifestyle change for me.  Deciding to do it because its a new year isn’t the motivation I need.  Fitting into my jeans comfortably (or at all) is motivation enough… I hope. Probably not.

No, this resolution is about reading.  Do you know that I LOVE to read.  On December 30th I posted my 2021 stats from Goodreads on Instagram along with my favorite 5 books I read last year.

In the comments section of that post, a friend said she likes to read one classic novel a month.  I find that amazing and inspiring!  But that is too much for me and I know it.  I do love the classics and I try to make a point to read them but they are not easy reads for me.

In 2020, I read Jane Eyre.  In 2021, I read The Clan of the Cave Bear.  Is that a classic?  If not, then I didn’t read any classics in 2021.  But, I have vowed to read one classic a quarter in 2022.  This I can do and I’m excited to do it.  I even started a whole new “shelf” on my Goodreads account to keep track of the classics I want to read.  So far, there are 12 books on that shelf so I’ve got 3 years worth to choose from.

I’m also adding a check list component to my 2022 goals.  There are things I have been putting off and I will feel soooo much better if I would just cross them off my list! Do you have something on your to-do list your have been putting off for way too long (for example and totally random, not specific to me at all… getting rid of an old bank account that holds 3 shares of a crappy stock)?  Get it done!!! Life will be better without those “little things” always being in the back of your mind.

Don’t let resolutions get you down.  Usually people make them and then feel like they failed when they don’t accomplish them.  I’m not saying we shouldn’t push ourselves to be better.  We should always be striving.  But make your goals something you will enjoy, something that will make you better and happier.  Not something you dread.  Everyone will have something different.  Play to your strengths.  Mine will have to do with food and books.  Those are my jam.

What things will you put on your 2022 bucket list?  Share in the comments below!  I might need to borrow from your bucket.

Here’s to 2022.  May it be safe, happy, calm and full of crossing things off your bucket list, reading list and check list!