thursday 13: ideas for the new year

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Resolutions… I hate them. For me at least, they’re like setting myself up for failure. Too much pressure attached to them. Inevitably, life happens, and then I just feel like a failure. So I don’t make resolutions. On the first of every year, I create more of a annual bucket list. Sometimes the things on my list are resolution-adjacent, but I try to keep them reasonable and to hold grace for myself. But most of them are more like experiences or activities. So I present to you a list of ideas for an annual bucket list.

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1. make more time to do the things you enjoy.

No matter what it is, make time for it. Doing the things that bring you joy just reinvigorates you… mind, body, and soul. For me, it can be anything from a hot bath and a book, to spending time on the beach. Anything that makes you happy!

2. go on food adventures.

Whether it’s trying new foods, learning to cook something new, or exploring new restaurants, dip into the unknown. While I’m admittedly less about the cooking, I do love trying new foods and finding new restaurants. The restaurants have become a bit of a date-night thing for the hubs and I.

3. do that morning stretch/yoga.

There’s something very satisfying about that first stretch in the morning. And it’s good for you, loosening all those tight muscles before you start your day. My morning yoga is one of my favorite times of the day. I put on music and go through a flow just to get my blood moving. It’s made a world of difference for my back pain, too.

4. start/maintain a journal.

I love to journal, in addition to my blog. But I admit, I often fall out of the habit. Probably because I always promise myself I’m going to do it daily. And that’s just unreasonable. But a few times a week is doable.

5. learn a new language.

Okay, maybe this one is tailored to the language geek in me. But spending 10 minutes or so a day on one of the language apps, for example, is a good way to dip into it. Plus, learning something new is great for maintaining brain health.

6. find a new hobby, or get back into an old favorite.

I crochet, a lot, and I love it. But sometimes I get the urge to try something new. I’ve tried, and failed, at knitting, but I’m thinking that might be a good one to give another chance to. I’ve also thought about going full nostalgic and trying macrame. I’ve also been thinking about taking a dance class of some kind.

7. try a new genre.

Whether a book, a movie, a TV show, or a podcast, try something new. I do this with reading, picking occasional books in genres I don’t usually gravitate towards. Sometimes it’s a hit, sometimes it’s a miss. But either way it’s good to expand those horizons.

8. change that negative mindset.

That’s so hard to do. But I think we have to be nicer to ourselves. Especially as women. We tend to be so hard on ourselves. Let it begin with a single affirmation every morning.

9. make a happy list.

A friend did this a few years back, and I loved the idea. It’s a list of things that you can do that make you happy, especially in moments when you’re anything but happy. Think of it as a go-to guide for giving yourself comfort.

10. declutter something every week.

A drawer, a side table, whatever. There’s an immense amount of satisfaction to be had in accomplishing that.

11. learn something new.

Whether it’s a deep dive on the internet or at the library, check out something that interests you. Watch a documentary, read the books, anything.

12. rearrange your space.

I love to do this from time to time. It feels like a fresh start, a cleansing.

13. unplug more.

I’ve been unplugging more and more, and it’s been fabulous. It’s given me time to do the things I love. Even more, it’s been so stress relieving.