Haven't been here for a while but wanted to thank you and Colleen for your comments! Lots has changed since I wrote this post - and check out Dan, eh?
I hate New Year’s resolutions. For the last three years, I’ve resolved to stop gossiping, cold turkey. And I don’t just mean over-the-top, guess-who’s-having-an-affair kind of gossip—I’m talking about eliminating all oblique references and unnecessary comments from my dialogue.
I do pretty well for the first week or two. And then I give up. As it turns out, it’s really, really hard to stop talking about other people.
But my penchant for gossip notwithstanding, I think that most resolutions set us up for failure. So, this year, I’m trying something new. I’m picking resolutions that people often make—and resolving not to do them. Why? Because frankly, they’re not worth it. And I’m pretty sure that if I start (or, in many cases, continue) not doing these things, I’ll sustain a better sense of balance in my life.
If I don’t hold myself accountable for things I don’t want to do, don’t feel guilty for doing what I want, and don’t set myself up for failure, I think my 2012 will be more successful all-around.
These are my “anti-resolutions.” And I encourage you to consider making a few of your own.
1. I Will Not Tweet More (Unless I Have Something Important to Say)
I am definitely consumed by social media. As a freelance writer and content marketing strategist, online platforms are an integral part of my business. But in spite of the benefits, social media (particularly Twitter) can suck you dry—spending your whole day hooked to HootSuite or TweetDeck will eventually make you go nuts!
And unless you’re Lady Gaga or Justin Bieber, your followers aren’t remotely interested in the minutiae of your life. So no more tweets about dinner preparations, traffic frustrations, or kids’ allergic reactions. I’m letting it go—and only tweeting the important stuff.
2. I Will Not Try Skydiving
Airplanes. Heights. My desire to avoid heart attack or untimely death. To me, it’s not “adventurous and fun”—it’s just a bad idea. Doesn’t need much more explanation than that.
3. I Will Not Try to Appreciate the Snow
I’ve been on countless ski trips. I take my kids tobogganing. I’ve built a snowman or two in my day. Everyone in my family owns ice skates. But I hate snow, and I always will. So rather than expend my energy pretending otherwise, I have a new resolution: I’ll just stop trying.
4. I Will Not Get Weekly Manicures
Looking professional is important, but I’ve never understood manicures. Sure, I’ve probably indulged in dozens over the years, but I always feel that I’m wasting time and money on something so fleeting. Plus, I could probably achieve the same result with a bottle of OPI on my couch at home. So in 2012, I’ll ease up on the manicures, and choose instead to spend my time with my children and friends (and my money on handbags!).
5. I Will Not Use Excessive Coupons to Save Money
You’ve seen them: the Extreme Couponers. The people who purchase thousands of dollars worth of groceries and earn money in the process. Enviable, right? But they have to build warehouses in their basement to store their arsenal of food and supplies, and they devote 14 hours a day to clipping, copying, and organizing all of the coupons. Three words: not worth it.
6. I Will Not Have a House Worthy of Good Housekeeping
I have five children and a dog. While my house is cozy and comfortable, the pooch has eaten through my living room chairs, I often find my son’s socks stuffed under the hallway rug, and the underside of my microwave has a film of grease that hasn’t been cleaned for several months (and might not be cleaned for several more).
Good Housekeeping won’t be knocking on my door anytime soon, and frankly, I’ve decided that I prefer it that way. The only way I could maintain a magazine-worthy home would be if I neglected my husband, children, and business—and no resolution is worth that sacrifice.
What are your anti-resolutions for the New Year?
