Twenty days into the new year, and I'm still strong in my Dry January commitment, despite the frigid temperatures. Believe me, a hot toddy or a glass of wine would be incredibly tempting on these cold nights. But self-discipline truly does taste sweeter.
Instead of setting a traditional New Year's resolution this year, I chose a "word of the year": Consistency. Building on my successful reading goals from the past two years, I aim to consistently read or listen to at least 12 books in 2025. I'm also prioritizing self-care, incorporating consistent walks on the treadmill with a weighted vest and a simplified skincare routine. Let's be honest, I'm not going for a 14-step skincare regimen – a little moisturizer goes a long way.
I have learned to find something to look forward to on Sundays instead of getting the Sunday Scaries. I wake up and watch the local Lutheran Church service while walking on the treadmill. I sing the songs and afterward, spend time understanding the passages. I continue to get better at reading and also am improving my comprehension. Social Media has ruined our ability to focus or pay attention for more than just a 30-second video. I am on the road to taking my patience and focus back.
I have also spent time realizing how lonely life truly is. When I was younger, growing up in a house of 5 siblings all I wanted was some alone time. In college, if I wasn't around my friends, I found myself struggling to focus on any good, only the bad. As an adult sometimes we are around people and we feel more alone. Doom scrolling even while watching TV, which back in the 90s, and early 2000s TV was your "rot day" or your distraction from reality, or a couch potato sick day. I spent time missing how fun life used to be before the only way we would communicate was by sending videos back and forth to each other.
We must find activities that make us happy and do them, even if we must do it ourselves. If you wait for someone to try something you want to try you could be spending time on a clock you won't get back. The Mary in her 20s would find restaurants or hiking trails or a bucket list trip and take it. Don't let anyone hold you back from trying something new. Not even a family member, boyfriend/girlfriend, spouse, friend, coworker, or heck even your dog. (People will watch your animals)
(Disclaimer when I say try something new I don't mean anything illegal, drugs and breaking the law are bad, very bad.)
Don't decide to be a "lifer" at anything but being yourself. You aren't stuck at any job, and you aren't stuck where you live, now if you have a pet you are stuck with them but that is a choice that was made before you bought or adopted.
At the end of the day, you are the only one who gets to look back at your life and judge your decisions. Your family and friends can give you advice, but the decisions you make are yours. We aren't getting younger people, I'm getting older writing this post.
Be responsible with your money, spend your time with intent, and don't expect others to make you happy.
Happy Monday Y'all.
