Do you make a new year resolution? Or do you not give it a second thought? Maybe you make one and stick it out the entire year? My sister gave up soda and didn’t drink any for all of 2024. Or perhaps you make one and it fades away after the first week? Like a lot of people who say they are going to “eat better” and by February they’ve forgotten that they were even trying to better themselves.

I’ve never been one for new year resolutions. You see, I’ve always thought of it as a “give something up” kind of deal. And honestly, I don’t like giving things up. I’m clingy, I hold grudges, and my deadly sin is greed (or gluttony, probably gluttony. oh and wrath….ok let’s stick to a point here). The idea that I must abstain, go without, or just simply say “no” has always bugged me. I don’t want to be controlled! Even by my own self.

But Bob on the other hand, his new year resolutions are….of a different type. And I have gotten on board (being married rocks reason #3498). His lists do include abstaining, going without, saying “no”. But they also include saying “yes”, chasing dreams, and creating new. We are talking about not just one measly “eat better” statement. We are breaking it down. No refined sugars (I did this from February to September last year). No coffee. More sourdough. More fruits and veggies. We’re talking about Ashtanga yoga 5 days a week and one loop around the fenced in portion of the property. We’re saying 1 farmers market, 2 more stores for jewelry, x amount of books to be sold and so on. The lists are big.

Will they all be accomplished? No. My list was not to be mean to my family. That left the first day unfortunately. But these things we can strive for. This is a list we can circle back to throughout the year and say, “cross it off the list!” or “ok I need to kick it into gear”. I love that I can close my eyes and imagine who I want to be, write down the ways I need to make that happen, and then to track and watch my progress. And of course, to have my accountability buddy.

First order of business: Finish the list.