Rethinking my resolutions

“Beginnings are notation for the symphony of the possible in us. They ask us to break the pattern of our lives and reconfigure it afresh — something that can only be done with great courage and great tenderness, for no territory of life exposes both our power and our vulnerability more brightly than a beginning.” ~Maria Popova, The Marginalian

Have you made any New Year’s resolutions yet? You might loosely define a “resolution” as a self-improvement goal — such as eating healthier meals or exercising more often. Then again, a New Year’s resolution could serve as motivation to achieve or acquire something specific — a clutter-free storage room, for instance, or better communication with your siblings. Or maybe you hope to break a few unproductive habits? Many resolutions involve quitting or getting rid of something.

This year, I’m taking a different approach to New Year’s resolutions. I’m planning to step back and put a few things on pause. Instead of automatically changing anything — or ditching it completely — I want to reconsider or reevaluate everything I might be doing out of habit, ego, or obligation. This will take time to sort through.

Before I can edit or improve parts of my life, I have to reexamine even the most mundane routines — like turning right every time I leave the house to walk my dog, watching the same TV news station after dinner, posting thoughts on my blog every morning, or buying the same brand of coffee at the grocery every time. Not all habits are bad habits, of course, but they’re habits just the same. Why not question them, or test them, then open the door for new activities or ideas? I’d like to see what’s on the other side of my comfort zone.

Journaling has become a practical tool for this process, and here are some of the bigger questions I’ve scribbled in my notebook so far ….

~ How many hours do I invest in things that don’t deserve as much of my attention and energy?

~ What areas of my life need more of my effort and responsibility?

~ How many activities or routines do I keep doing because I think I “should”? What will happen if I stop doing them?

~ Who and what do I take for granted, and how can I express my appreciation?

~ What gives me a sense of purpose or delight every day? How often do I pursue it?

~ Am I spending enough time with people who bring me joy?

~ What do I earn back when I invest my time in the people and things that matter to me?

~ Given all the political turmoil in my country and the world, am I doing enough to protect my inner peace? Am I fostering community where I live?

While I was recovering from the flu last month, I started reading a new book that inspired me to explore some deeper questions. Written by Suleika Jaouad, The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life combines the author’s reflections on her illness with tips on how journaling offers a path to healing and creative discovery. The book includes short essays and journaling prompts from more than 100 well-known contributing authors, including Elizabeth Gilbert, Salman Rushdie, Ann Patchett, Gloria Steinem, Dani Shapiro, and more.

You needn’t be a writer or an artist to reap the benefits of The Book of Alchemy. If the promise of a brighter new year is calling you to grow, change, or rekindle your own creativity, this book will inspire you to buy a journal and start exploring your own questions and ideas.

I hope your new year is off to a happy, healthy start! ~Cindy La Ferle