I am not one for resolutions. I enjoy goals. I enjoy challenges. And, I like deadlines, because I like targets. But resolutions? Too much of a commitment. I feel anxiety growing at the mere thought of resolutions, due to the pressure I put on myself to keep to it.

As January 1, 2024 approaches, my social media is becoming increasingly filled with self-help posts related to resolutions. Admittedly, many have caught my eye, and I’ve contemplated making various new year resolutions. But as quickly as I contemplate, my anxiety grows, and my mind proceeds to fast-forward to every day in 2024 – the challenges in keeping said resolutions, the fear of failing, the aggravation of commitment, etc.

Sound familiar? I’m really asking. Does that sound familiar to you? Or, is it just me?

Looking back on 2023, I’m pretty OK with things. Which is good, because at this point – the past is the past.

There were some pretty scary moments for me. I was not always well. But I am still here, along with my husband, two kids, two dogs, and two cats. That’s pretty sweet. I know some that cannot say the same.

One big ‘win’ for me in 2023 actually started in June 2022. I started working out pretty regularly at a small Pilates/barre/yoga studio. I found the studio through a Facebook group, and through the classes I’ve attended and the people I’ve met in those classes – I’ve grown in many ways. Again, I’ve had setbacks, but I’m still here. While my family and close friends help to keep me here, the small community I found at Breathe challenges me to really stay focused on my own self-care. It’s really important one’s oxygen masks is securely on one’s self before they attempt to be present to or for anyone else. And, one could say that Breathe is my oxygen mask.

So, what does the above have to do with resolutions? Well, I think I am ready to make one. Actually, I think I am ready to make several.

Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones. Have you seen it? It’s a documentary on Netflix. Author Dan Buettner spent 20 years traveling to unique communities where people live extraordinary long and vibrant lives, while really just living their own normal life. Commonalities were found in the Blue Zones, including types of food eaten and an active lifestyle. In addition to those commonalities, they mentioned “Moai” and “ikigai”, which are my resolutions – not for 2024, but for my life going forward.

According to the website, Moai is a group of lifelong friends, and a social support group that forms in order to provide varying support from social, financial, health, or spiritual interests. I am thankful to have some lifelong friends, and I am grateful for all of them. But most of my lifelong friends are not close to home. I want to find a close group of friends that are close to me in proximity. I want to meet up with friends on a regular basis – small groups, coffee chats, workouts, walks, etc. My resolution is to work to make that happen.

Ikigai, according to the website, is an Okinawan word that means ‘a sense of purpose’.  To me, one’s purpose could be closely related to something for which they are passionate. And for me, that is writing. This blog started so many years ago, and I was very active with it. But, as my toddlers grew into school-aged kids, I didn’t have the time or mental bandwidth to write as much as I wanted. Now, my school-age kids are college-age kids, with one in the midst of his first year at university and the other starting his first year in August 2024. With this new season, I can feel my bandwidth starting to increase. I do say that with some trepidation. My full-time paid gig is pretty demanding. I work long hours, and I am not sure how I will manage my time to make time to feed my passion. That is what I have to do, though. I need to make it a priority to make time to feed my passion. This is a rewarding passion for me, whether there are readers or not. I feel really good right now, as I type this out. I miss this feeling. My resolution is to feed my writing passion.

That’s it. I have resolutions for 2024, and I am looking forward to the challenge. I am looking forward to the new season. Will there be anxiety? Sure. But I’ve managed it in the past. Will I definitely find my Moai? Maybe not. Will my ikigai stay lit? Who knows. These are two awesome resolutions that would benefit me in so many ways. For now, the thought of all the light that could come into my life if I find even a small fragment of success is all I need to get me started. And starting is the most important step.

See you in 2024!