And just like that, we are on 2020’s doorstep. I love the sound of 2020, so neat and even. Even numbers make me happy, and I feel like even years set you up for good memories. For example, what was great about 2012? Easy, Harper was born. How about 2014? Jameson arrived. I don’t remember 2013 or 2015, likely because I was in a fog of mommy-ness.
What will be great about 2020? (Ahem, how about a new president?!) Like everyone, I got to thinking about resolutions this week. To be truthful, I am not sure about how I feel about them. We all know it is positive to set goals, but most people I talk to feel like resolutions simply set them up for failure. I can see that. We make sizable statements about the things we will do and feel so optimistic because we have 12 long months ahead to accomplish them. And then, life happens and two months disappear before you have lifted a barbell at the gym.
But regardless of whether or not resolutions are set, I think the reflection and discussion about a New Year is quite valuable. Last night, I prompted my family to “fill in the blank.” We started with the phrase This Year I Will … and talked about our responses. I love that some were small and specific while others were a bit lofty. It was such fun hearing the kids’ perspectives and how they thought of themselves. Jason and I also contributed our thoughts and carried on our conversation well into morning coffee today. Here’s a glimpse:
This Year I will… LEARN
Harper: new soccer skills
Jameson: to read
Jason: video editing and iMovie
Katie: to find balance
This year I will … CONTINUE (I love this one – it says, “I have been doing things well!” So many resolutions have to do with changing or correcting a wrong. Maybe we should spend some time celebrating what we are already doing right.)
Harper: to play soccer
Jameson: to play games at Daddy’s school
Jason: to innovate
Katie: to write
This year I will … IMPROVE
Harper: my handwriting
Jameson: my writing
Jason: on showing appreciation
Katie: on slowing down
This year I will … VISIT
Harper: Mount Rushmore
Jameson: Chuck E. Cheese
Jason: Moab
Katie: a new place in Colorado
This year I will … MAKE TIME FOR
Harper: goalie practice
Jameson: playing
Jason: reading
Katie: my husband!
This year I will … GIVE
Harper: cheer to the world
Jameson: snuggles
Jason: more patience
Katie: quality time to each of my family members and more feedback to my students
Of course, not included here are the ever-present thoughts like “get back to summer weight” and “run that half-marathon!” and “eat whole grains like a champ” and “quit all the sugar!” but remember, I do not want to set myself up for failure so …
I resolve not to resolve.
But 2020 could be the year that you make yourself just a little bit brighter, a little bit more positive, a little bit more healthy, a little bit more flexible, a little bit more adventurous, a little bit more loving, a little bit more tolerant, a little bit more open-minded, a little bit stronger. Instead of marking off our failures or success by reaching a specific number, maybe we mark them by recognizing that we spent 2020 trying to get a little bit better at something. On 12/31/20, we will say that, as a whole, we gave a little more to ourselves and to others. We took care and gave care.
That seems like something manageable and something good. It allows room for the ebbs and flows of life, the days when we run into a sweaty glow and the ones when we wallow in chocolate. The days when we bring joy to someone we love and the days when we disappoint them. The days when we accomplish a project and the days when we go to bed instead.
How are you spending New Year’s? We are bringing our two beautiful kids to our dear friends’ house who also have amazing kids. We will likely eat an unhealthy-ish meal, have a drink, laugh, and come home by 8:30. It will be perfect for us. I hope your Eve is perfect for you, too.
