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Date: 12/27/2022
The holidays are (about to be) over, and the new year is here. We made it!
As the holidays approached, I spoke with people from different walks of my life. Coworkers, my hairdresser, family, friends and more – and one common question kept coming up.
Where has the time gone?
Each person shared with me their own frustrations and general sentiment of feeling burnt out. Many reflected that the holidays crept up on them much faster than usual and they had no time for themselves as their proverbial “cups” runneth over with errands to run, endless to-do lists, gifts to buy, parties to attend and more.
I do not know about you – but I am not a “New Year’s Resolution” person. I am – however – a goal setter. While I do not make traditional resolutions, I made it a habit a few years ago to write down some items I would like to achieve in the new year. Career goals, personal goals, financial goals, health goals – things that I work toward in my day-to-day life already.
For example, a 2022 goal, I wrote that I wanted to get a raise or a promotion (or both.) Happily, judging by my presence in this column, I can report this goal was achieved.
In 2021, I had a goal to get back into reading for fun. I spend so much of my week reading and editing our newspapers, that I stopped reading for enjoyment in my personal life altogether. I did achieve the goal last year, reading 12 books. This year, I set out to read 24. I didn’t quite reach this goal – coming in at 15 books. I do like to note when I share this, though, that I read the Harry Potter books for the first time in my life. Most of those books are 600-, 700-, 800-, 900-plus pages! Surely those count as more than one book? I digress.
I’m not beating myself up about not reaching my book count goal for 2022, though. Why?
Because forcing and pressuring myself to achieve a goal that should be relaxing is the opposite of what I’m trying to achieve.
One of my 2023 goals is to take more time for myself. Whether that be in the form of reading a book, continuing to take the spin classes I have been enjoying every week, going on more frequent walks with my puppy, learning a new skill – I don’t care.
I’m sure we could all use some time to be present and enjoy ourselves.
Whatever you are hoping the new year will bring, I hope you do not pressure yourself. Half the fun of creating a goal – or resolution, if you prefer – is dreaming up accomplishments. From there – enjoy the ride.