Forget Resolutions. Focus on Living Life.

I don’t know about you but I went home one Friday in March expecting to go back to that office maybe two weeks later. Clearly that didn’t happen. None of our plans happened. It really hit me that we don’t know what tomorrow will bring. We don’t know what thing will be the last thing. I didn’t know that hug I gave my parents in early March would be the last hug I’d give them for ….. going on 9 months.

B8E5F379-83B7-4A9F-BF8D-1C2177450BC0.jpeg

These stairs lead to a beach I’d like to go to every single day. Unrelated to the post but I love the picture.

I’m going to take a cue from the movie Soul. This year let's focus on living life, not setting resolutions. Let’s focus on ambition and fun. If you saw the movie (not really a spoiler) it’s about finding not your purpose, but living your life the most/ best way you can. Eat the pizza. Listen to the music. Watch the leaves fall.  

Studies show that about 60% of us make New Year's resolutions each year and only about 8% of us achieve them. 8%! We’re setting ourselves up for failure. An article in Inc magazine reported the top resolutions for 2020 included:

  • Trying something new

  • Eat more favorite foods

  • Lose weight/diet

  • Be happier/better mental health

  • Be a better person

  • Staying motivated

You know what? I can get behind some of these but I need to frame it differently.

How am I going to live life the most?

  • Say yes more often.

  • Practice better mental health with better affirmations and not listen to the negativity bias.

  • Enjoy the time with my family because a year ago I was complaining about not enough time with the kids. I certainly have it now.

  • Check in with my friends and family more often and really listen to them.

  • Admit when I am having a low day and ask for what I need.

  • Get more serious on pursuing my freelance career.

  • Find little ways to surprise family and friends to bring them a little joy.

  • Speaking of joy, find it. Find it in the little things and if I can’t find it, make it.

That’s it. Subject to change because it’s stupid to not be able to change your own thoughts. It’s not like it’s written in stone. What are you doing to live your life the most?