I don’t make New Year’s resolutions anymore. I also don’t choose a word or theme for the year. I do, however, loosely set a few intentions — with ‘loosely’ being the operative word in that statement.
I’ve written about my disillusion with resolutions a few times. Ever since I declared that I was no longer setting them … Way back in 2019. The next four years was more of the same, each with a bit of a twist. [You can reread last year’s post, which has links for similar posts from 2020, 2021, and 2022, to better understand.]
This year, I’m a year older and, therefore, wiser. I know that January 1 is an arbitrary start date and that true growth and personal development doesn’t have a goal date or expiration date. It’s ongoing.
So what are my intentions for 2024? I have three big ones:
- To continue to prioritize my health and well-being (and time with my loves)
- To become more self-aware of where I need to grow and learn
- To practice responding, not reacting, to people and situations that don’t align with me
That last one is going to be the hardest, I know, because I’m emotional and dramatic — and a little judgy. But each day I’ll do my best (thanks, Em!), give myself grace when I mess up, and try again. After all, practice makes progress.
What are your New Year’s intentions or resolutions, if you make them? I want to know.
— LJDT
