I gave up new year resolutions years ago. They were either too ambitious or too many and doomed to failure. Instead I set upon this very easy way to start the year:
Starting January 1, remove one thing from your life that isn’t giving you joy and add one thing that will.
It’s that easy.
For me, I decided to remove on-demand candle orders, which were time consuming and often arrived when I didn’t have the time to create. Now, candle ordering windows happen several times a year, I make them in batches and then not again until the next window.
What I added was a time-consuming writing workshop that will help me with a project I started in quarantine.
Writing has always been my first love but it’s always the thing that falls off my to-do list. But not any more. Starting January 23 I am going to focus my spare time (and we all have spare time these days) on that writing project.
I’m not resolving to finish the work. I’m just resolving to take the course and focus on the project.
So, instead of listing a bunch of things you’ll probably never get to, delete one thing that isn’t fulfilling from your life and add one joyful thing.
That easy.
If you’d like to share yours in the Comments, I am all ears. And remember, comments are blogger gold! Thank you!
I’m with you, writing more a priority in 2021. I am starting with a workshop this month that will help spur me on.
so we’re both getting some help!
My husband and I already agreed that we would get rid of more clutter. You’d think we’d be done with that after 3 down-sizing moves…but no. We still have a storage area that we’re paying for. I hate paying money for things we’re haven’t used in two years. And getting rid of clutter automatically brings me joy, but it will also add more money into my retirement fund!
What a great idea. I’ll give it some thought. I’m putting emphasis on getting my book done “Follow the Money: My Life as a Financial Journalist,” so that’s the thing I’m putting forward. As for what I’ll cut out that doesn’t give me joy, I’m pretty good at doing that already.
That’s a great idea, Carol. So simple. I will not spend as much time on Twitter as it will become delightfully boring this year and spend more time getting some exercise and working on my blog.
Carol, You’re one of the most prolific, talented writers I know. So surprised when you say that writing falls off your to-do list. You’d never know it!
yes my personal writing (not my blog,which I don’t consider my personal writing!O
Ooh, I like that. I will have to think on this. I can think of a couple things I would like to remove (like cleaning the house) but in CovidTime and ReducedIncomeTime that’s a no. But I like the idea of choosing joy. Right now, I’m trying to remove clutter/stuff. We have been holding onto things since sons moving in/out meant that we were the storage place. But as they mature, there are things we can pass along to others.
Clutter is real. Removing is tough for me so I get it.
Fabulous idea, Carol! Hmmmm….
Yeah? you thinking, girl? 😉
I love this! It makes so much sense.
I think so, too.
What a great idea. Thank you for the suggestion. Like you, I gave up resolutions years ago.
doomed to fail for me!
I like this idea. Actually, my “add one thing I like” would involve perhaps taking a photography course. But then I would actually have difficulty choosing the “out of my life” item; things like “cleaning the bathroom”, after all, are kind of necessary…..
Alana, that cracked me up!