2022
I did not set resolutions for 2021.
Years ago, I started a new tradition of setting new year’s resolutions and then grading myself at the end of each year to see how I did keeping those resolutions. Well, after the headache that was 2020, I made the decision to forego resolutions. I decided that, while I would absolutely still work on growing and learning, I didn’t need to set specific, measurable objectives for myself because 2020 was just absolutely exhausting.
And I’m not setting any for 2022 either.
I am afraid I’ve gotten into the habit of over-generalizing and applying blanket statements to times in my life, and when you do that, you’re pretty much manifesting that that’s how things are going to go. After the dumpster fire that was 2020, I thought, “Maybe 2021 will be better,” but then at the first sign of adversity, I was like, “Nope! Guess we’ll try again next year.” It wasn’t until I said the same thing about 2022 that I realized just how limiting that is. I don’t want to call an entire year awful just because it got off to a rough start. Imagine if we did that with days. “Dang. Flat tire. Guess this whole day is going to be terrible. Might as well give up.” Hogwash!
On the other hand, imagine if we only allowed ourselves to refresh or “do better” at the start of a new week. “It’s Wednesday, and I ate junk food, so I guess I have to wait until Monday to eat healthy.” That makes no sense. So why should I do that with my years?
I’ve decided to apply a similar tactic that I recently employed that has helped me become more patient. I was noticing myself thinking, “Man, it’s been XX hours, and [insert really exciting thing] hasn’t happened yet. I can’t wait another XX hours.” And then I realized, just because it has been XX hours, doesn’t mean it will be another XX hours before Exciting Thing happens.
That didn’t make much sense. I’m going to try explaining again with an actual example.
So let’s say I’m waiting for a really important phone call. I’ve been staring at my phone willing the call to come (Taylor Swift style. IYKYK.) for the past three hours. Just because it’s been three hours, doesn’t mean it’ll be another three hours. That person could be dialing my number right now. Basically, I remind myself that elapsed time doesn’t actually indicate anything in regards to the future or overall timeline. I know that sounds super simple and maybe a little obvious, but it has helped me a lot in my quest to be a more patient person.
Anyway, I am going to work on implementing this same mindset when it comes to days and months and years. Any time I catch myself thinking, “Ugh, this sucks. I thought 2022 would be better,” I am going to do my best to stop and say to myself, “Today has been a bad day, but that doesn’t indicate that tomorrow won’t be better.” Instead of, “Man, this first week of 2022 has been terrible. Hopefully 2023 is better,” try, “Oof, this has been a tough week, but we still have 358 days in 2022. Way too soon to call it.”
After all, 2020 and 2021 had some major bright spots. Let’s list them!
March-May 2020: Learned all kinds of new cooking techniques and enjoyed a ton of pool time while in quarantine
May 2020: Picked up a side hustle
July 2020: Taylor dropped a surprise album
December 2020: Adopted Kane and Taylor dropped yet another surprise album
March 2021: Got vaccinated
May 2021: Rejoined the gym (broke my wrist two weeks later—but still!)
August 2021: Had an epic 30th birthday party
November 2021: Moved to Nashville and went fully remote with work (a dream of mine since March 2020)
December 2021: Got my booster shot
A note from 1/18 Nat:
This has been sitting in my drafts for weeks. January has been a bit of a train wreck so far. I was debating whether or not I should publish it, but I think that makes it all the more relevant. Just because these first few weeks have been a doozy doesn’t mean sunshine isn’t coming. Here’s to keeping our chins up.