resolutions.

January 6, 2014

calendar 2014I’ve never really written about new year resolutions in this space. I tend to think of them as private scribbles. I write them in tiny letters on the opening pages of the Moleskine weekly soft cover calendar that I buy new every January.  I use the thinnest felt-tip pen I can find and make minuscule bullet points for each new resolution. When I begin a new calendar I turn the rumpled pages of the previous year’s book to the opening page and make tick marks next to the resolutions that I’ve managed to keep.

I’m generally gentle with myself. Did I drink more water in 2013 than I did in 2012? Sure. (But I’ll add it to the 2014 list, just in case.) Did I do a better job of planning meals. Starting in August counts I think.

If it’s not clear enough from the fact that in 2014 I still use a paper calendar, I’m someone that revels in act of scratching a task off a list. And yes, I’ve added completed tasks to a list for the sole purpose of recording the triumph.

I know there are plenty of people who think that resolutions are silly. Or worse, burdensome. But I think that there’s so much hopefulness in the act of resolving to do just a few things better, or differently, or even at all.

Maybe best of all, there’s the reflection at the end of the year. The opportunity to scan a list bemusedly, thinking of all the things I couldn’t possibly have anticipated. There was not a single bone in my body last January that anticipated that by January of this year I’d have a belly growing fuller every day and a calendar date in June marked in eager anticipation of a new arrival.

So here’s a resolution: to make a list in the spirit of happy anticipation for the change I can control and the change that I can’t.

Cheers to a new year.

Other things to inspire this January:
This exhibit.
This desert dream.
These new year rulins’.
This book.

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18 Comments

  • Reply Ashely Schneider January 6, 2014 at 3:47 pm

    LOVING bigBang's blog. Thanks for sharing and happiest new year to you and your little nugget! xx

    • Reply Erin January 7, 2014 at 1:18 am

      It's such a good one, isn't it? (Many thanks!)!

  • Reply Abbie January 6, 2014 at 5:55 pm

    What wonderful news!!! Congratulations and hope you are feeling well!

    • Reply Erin January 7, 2014 at 1:19 am

      Thanks so much! Feeling great!

  • Reply Anonymous January 6, 2014 at 5:56 pm

    Les petits imprévus font souvent les plus grands bonheurs !
    Porte-toi bien 🙂
    Delphine

    • Reply Erin January 7, 2014 at 1:18 am

      Exact! Merci, beaucoup!

  • Reply Steph January 6, 2014 at 6:46 pm

    Oh I'm the same – I love scratching things off of paper lists! Happy new year!

    • Reply Erin January 7, 2014 at 1:19 am

      Kindred spirits in list scratching!

  • Reply Tori Bobs January 6, 2014 at 7:03 pm

    I'm gentle with myself too, though to the point that I make no resolutions at all for fear of stressing myself out if I don't fulfil them. I've made three, though all related to blogging, because that's where my passion lies and I know I have a greater chance of actually doing them when passion lies at the heart of them 🙂

    I'm not sure I've said it yet so, in case that is true, a massive congratulations on the pregnancy 🙂

    Tori
    xx

    • Reply Erin January 7, 2014 at 1:17 am

      Being gentle with oneself is always a good thing, I think! Good luck with your blogging goals! (and thanks!)!

  • Reply Neurotic Workaholic January 6, 2014 at 8:05 pm

    Congratulations on your pregnancy! That's wonderful! And I like to-do lists too; they also help me keep track of the things that need to get done, because otherwise I'll forget them.

    • Reply Erin January 7, 2014 at 1:16 am

      Thanks so much!

  • Reply kristyn January 6, 2014 at 9:48 pm

    Love your take on resolutions 🙂 I'm always so torn about them. I'm also one who loves to check things off a list–writing on paper makes a difference. I'm a firm believer in paper.

  • Reply kywin January 7, 2014 at 2:35 am

    Happy New Year. Thanks for creating a peaceful, insightful blog.

  • Reply Becca - Rebecca Atwood Designs January 7, 2014 at 2:52 pm

    My take on new years resolutions is very similar…although you've worded it much better than I would be able to! 🙂

  • Reply Inge January 7, 2014 at 8:08 pm

    Such great thoughts on resolutions. I laughed at adding a completed task to your list just to scratch it off. I do that to 🙂 As well as still using a paper calendar. I tried a digital one, but it just doesn't work for me.

    Happy new year! xo

  • Reply Sam | ashore January 8, 2014 at 2:44 am

    that desert dream is the real deal. I've only been to Joshua Tree once and it was somehow more magical than every picture (… like being on the moon, with better lighting.)

    also, and more importantly, hooray for the bebe!

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