Resolutions.
by Amanda Huggins
I have a love-hate relationship with New Year’s resolutions.
On one hand, I love this universal acceptance of the “blank slate” concept – it amazes me that millions people around the world recognize January as a jumping off point for renewal, for a second chance, for motivation. As a concept, it’s awesome.
But being the devil’s advocate that I am, I have to ask…how many people really follow through with their resolutions? Sure, we all know someone who heard of someone’s mother’s best friend’s daughter’s teacher who resolved to lose 15lbs and actually followed through, but really…I don’t personally know a single person who followed through on their resolutions.
I like to think of a resolution as something permanent – you resolved to make a lasting change.
It’s simply human nature to set optimistic standards – I think it’s called the optimistic probability bias, if my college education serves me right. I’m not saying I’m a pessimist, and I am by no means trying to negate the excitement or promise of a New Year. I’m just being realistic.New Years Resolutions are a load of crap.
This year, I’ve decided to give up making New Year’s resolutions.
Instead, I’m finally making my bucket list – a real, honest list of things I want to do before I kick it (hopefully not too soon). And I also hope that by this time next year, I’ll have crossed some things off the list, and maybe even added some more.
In no particular order…
1. Work for Google
2. Write a thank you letter to every person who has inspired me – real, hardworking people. Not celebrities.
3. Donate a significant amount to the Best College In The World
4. Be my own boss.
5. Go on a Safari - bonus points if I can touch a lion.
6. Be my own, superwoman hybrid of Kelly Ripa meets Ann Curry
7. And to that point, work for NBC again. Or ABC, period.
8. Eat a bug, Survivor-style
9. Own a bulldog (Preferably named King Leonidas)
10. Cook a meal so delicious it will bring Giatta De Laurentiis to tears
11. Build a well in Ghana
12. Write or co-write a book
13. Dance again
14. Avoid receiving a speeding ticket for a 10-year stretch…wish me luck.
15. Maintain my blog for an entire year, with at least one post a week
16. Give my 230lb boyfriend a piggyback ride
17. Travel to India
18. Travel to Greece
19. Travel to Japan
20. See the Northern Lights
21. Write a blog or article that changes someone else’s opinions
22. Write a blog or article that changes my own opinions
23. Do a yogathon/zumbathon/any –athon that doesn’t start with “mar”
24. Successfully bake rose-flavored macaroons good enough to give Laduree a run for their French money.
25. Pay for at least a part of my youngest sister’s college tuition
26. Write for a living beyond freelancing
