Welcome, 2018! New Year’s Resolutions, Anyone? (A Collaboration with a Purpose Post)
Folks, this is the first Collaboration with a Purpose post of 2018. And thus, our group of bloggers decided what would be better than New Year’s resolutions?
My view of resolutions, mind, is probably not like many of the other bloggers. I figure, you need to first change your attitude, and only then make a resolution to keep that change active. (This is directly opposite how most people approach this.)
Why do I take that tactic? Well, I’ve seen too many people crash and burn when they make a grandiose resolution (or two). Here’s a few resolutions I’ve seen others make that definitely have not worked out:
- Vowing to take more cold baths (I mean, who does this?)
- Exercising more (Too broad; what counts as exercise?)
- Eating less (Too broad; you can eat less, say, of veggies and more chocolate cake, and you’re still technically keeping this resolution)
- Taking up veganism (Nice idea, in theory, but very difficult in practice. Besides, it’s incredibly expensive for most people to do properly, and money is in short supply ’round here.)
- Becoming a vegetarian after being a lifelong meat eater (Again, nice idea. Hard to do. Easier than veganism depending on what type of vegetarian you want to become, providing it’s not vegan.)
Now, what resolutions do I think are possible, after the requisite change in attitude? Here we go:
- Trying to see the other person’s point of view once in a while, even if it’s difficult and seemingly makes no sense. (The mental exercise is good for you. Kind of like taking brisk medicine you really don’t want, granted…but still, good for you.)
- Eating one serving more of fruit or veggies a day. (Starting small is the best way for your change in attitude to work.)
- Finding an hour a day to spend either writing, meditating, or some combination of the two. (This is a good idea and again, it’s starting reasonably small. In my life, usually my paying job of editing takes over, or taking care of my family may take over, or perhaps my health will act up. But trying for one single hour is sensible, even though of course I want much more than that over time.)
- Spending ten minutes a day doing some sort of physical activity (probably walking; maybe if I’m lucky, swimming)
See? The last four resolutions are doable. They require a slight shift in attitude, and to try just a little bit harder. And aren’t flat-out impossible, which is what tends to stop too many people from keeping any of their New Year’s Resolutions in the first place.
Now, I know that some people swear by cold baths. (Seriously.) And yes, some swear by veganism. (Yeah. Really.) And some swear by both at the same time — which sounds a bit odd, but whatever floats their respective boats.
But that isn’t me. I believe in incremental change. I know I can make the effort if it’s small. And small things add up over time to big results, if we only believe those results are possible….and maybe that, ultimately, is what New Year’s resolutions are all about — reminding us that change is indeed possible, if we’re only willing to work for it.
Now, take a look at my fellow bloggers’ views on the subject! Here are links to their blogs…more specific links will be added later, once their posts are up:
- Ipuna Black
- Jane Love @ Harmonious Joy
- Mylene C. Orillo
- Sadaf Siddiqi
- Sonyo Estavillo @ ‘Lil Pick Me Up
- Nicolle K @ Stories of a Highly Sensitive Introvert
And do let me know what you think of this post…especially as we of the Collaboration are looking for more topics to discuss of an inspirational (or at least interesting) nature in 2018.
[…] Barb Caffrey: Welcome, 2018! New Year’s Resolutions, Anyone? (A Collaboration with a Purpose Post) […]
New Year, New Me | Writing Down My New Year Resolutions
January 10, 2018 at 9:07 am
I don’t really do resolutions. No reason to disappoint myself if I don’t follow through. Even my GoodReads reading challenge usually falls short.
kamas716
January 10, 2018 at 9:41 am
[…] Barb Caffrey: Welcome, 2018! New Year’s Resolutions, Anyone? (A Collaboration with a Purpose Post) […]
Keep Focus with New Year’s Resolutions – Ipuna Black
January 10, 2018 at 1:40 pm
Yes! I’m with you Barb! I love your specific goals, but most importantly, I love “incremental” change. Change by 1% at a time as I had mentioned on my blog. You are wise! Happy New Year!
Ipuna Black
January 10, 2018 at 5:20 pm
Happy New Year, Ipuna! 😀 Thanks for commenting, as I’m always happy to see/read ’em. 😉
Barb Caffrey
January 10, 2018 at 8:37 pm
You’re totally right, Barb!
Awesome post full of wisdom. Happy New Year!
Jainey
January 10, 2018 at 6:31 pm
Thanks, Jainey. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Happy New Year to you and yours, too!
Barb Caffrey
January 10, 2018 at 8:36 pm
I agree with this, “change is indeed possible, if we’re only willing to work for it.” A great post.
Author: Sadaf Siddiqi
January 11, 2018 at 8:30 am
Thanks, Sadaf! I’m glad you enjoyed my post.
I’m a bit under the weather, so it’ll be a few days before I can read your post, and Nicolle’s, Jane’s, etc. But I will do it and I’ll give links to all the different posts — direct links — as soon as I’m able.
Barb Caffrey
January 11, 2018 at 4:50 pm
Welcome 🙂
Author: Sadaf Siddiqi
January 27, 2018 at 1:36 am
This is true. I agree that we need to be more specific in our resolutions. Good idea you have here, Barb! My favorite is “trying to see other’s point of view once in a while”. I totally agree!
Mylene Orillo
January 11, 2018 at 6:35 pm
Thanks, Mylene. 🙂 Have a great weekend.
Barb Caffrey
January 12, 2018 at 4:51 pm
[…] Barb Caffrey: Welcome, 2018! New Year’s Resolutions, Anyone? (A Collaboration with a Purpose P… […]
Why I Still Write My New Year’s Resolutions – Mylene C. Orillo
January 11, 2018 at 6:48 pm
I agree with this great post! I’m also of the “slow but incremental change” mindset, especially because I’m the sort who don’t do well with sudden and epic changes. I also love how you wrote “trying to see other’s point of view once in a while”. 😀
Nicolle
January 11, 2018 at 9:08 pm
Thanks, Nicolle. Still sick here, but I will read your post as soon as I can — I look forward to feeling well enough to do it! Thanks for reading mine. 🙂
Barb Caffrey
January 12, 2018 at 4:51 pm
No worries, take your time! The post isn’t going anywhere anyway. 😆
Nicolle
January 12, 2018 at 8:46 pm
I like the way you think. 😉
Barb Caffrey
January 12, 2018 at 10:44 pm
😆😆
Nicolle
January 14, 2018 at 12:01 am
[…] Barb Caffrey @ Barb Caffrey’s Blog: Welcome, 2018! New Year’s Resolutions, Anyone? […]
Collaboration with a Purpose: New Year’s Resolution – 2018 Goals – Stories of a Highly Sensitive Introvert
January 12, 2018 at 11:17 am