I gave up on making new year’s resolutions some time ago. However, I heard about a re-framing of this practice while listening to a podcast called “Happier.” The podcast hosts, Gretchen Rubin and Elizabeth Craft, suggested that listeners identify—and write down—18 things to accomplish during 2018 that would add to their level of happiness? Here are a few examples they shared:
paint my toenails once a month
fold laundry the day it comes out of the dryer
read a political biography
I’m not exactly sure why, but I found this “Eighteen for 18” challenge just different enough from the typical resolution deal that I’ve decided to try it. I appreciate the variety of the tasks—some ongoing, some one-time deals to check off once done. Perhaps I like the concept of happiness being the end result. Maybe I like the idea of doing something for my personal self-improvement that doesn’t seem like a copycat version of my office SMART goals. You know what I’m talking about: “By June 30, lose 20 pounds by eating healthier and exercising more.” Enough of that!
So here you have ’em: my “Eighteen for ‘18”:
Pray more.
Appreciate Rice more.
Purge two rooms/areas of junk.
Paint family room wood paneling (or have someone else do it).
Visit one place requiring a plane ride.
Learn a new phone app.
Walk more.
Shave legs on clean sheets day.
Plan more [joy!] for pre- and actual retirement.
Joy ~ Sass ~ Grace more.
Do more art and piano time.
Organize on-line photos—mine and those shared with me.
Do a one-on-one date with each of my adult kiddos.
Visit Emory Voice Clinic.
Touch the ocean.
Water plants/garden better.
Take blog public.
Let “it” [work…unimportant “things”] go more.
Today I’m working on #17. Why? I created the Joy ~ Sass ~ Grace blogsite back in 2012, Sheer terror has kept me from taking it public. Until now. I’m hoping that putting my blog “out there” will add to my level of happiness. Not because loads of people are likely to love it, or read it…or even see it. Rather, I’ve found that, oddly, sometimes pushing beyond my comfort zone actually does increase my level of happiness. Sometimes!
So happy ’18 to you all! I challenge you to give “Eighteen for ’18” your own twist. And let me know how it goes. Cheers! J
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