New Year :: Same Me

Happy 2025 from As Noted By Me.

This year, I suggest we resolve, restore and renew. Pick one or all of them.

re·solve

/rəˈzôlv/

verb

settle or find a solution to (a problem, dispute, or contentious matter).

re·store

/rəˈstôr/

verb

bring back (a previous right, practice, custom, or situation); reinstate.

re·new

/rəˈno͞o/

verb

resume (an activity) after an interruption.

As I type, my overfed and exhausted body is telling me that today would be a good day to get back to my pre-holiday routine. I am needing some "good for me" food today (preferably leafy-green) and a long walk.

I'm not the best with change. Really, who is?

This time of year brings new versions of yourself to your proverbial table. I'm 46 and for the last 30 years of my life it's been the GYM goer...the one who is a new year, new me kind of person. Listen (until recently ) I've lived my life as the "I'm going to print off this really cute workout plan and start on Monday" or maybe a program that is WAY TOO AMBITIOUS (and I knew it). It just doesn't work for me to have a day, Jan 1st or a random Monday in May, to resolve to be better. A more realistic way for me is resolving to move my body and ideally five days a week. I used to reward myself with food for sticking to my goals for the week, for those who know me well are literally saying "of course she did". I'm trying this new way of self-talk where I remind myself life happened this week and I will do better next week. The spiral of negative talk and siren song from the treadmill downstairs is mentally heavier than any amount of weight I'd like to lose. It squeezes me tighter than my favorite jeans that might just never see the light of day (and that is ok). I am doing my best to be healthier and live longer. The road to that goal doesn't need to be as bumpy as my self-deprecating inner voice used to make it for me. Again, less turbulence...more smooth sailing. See a theme here?

This most recent time change has rocked my world, the late Thanksgiving on the calendar made the normal holiday rush and craze rise to a fever pitch, and my new inability to sleep has thrown me into a spin cycle of wonder and, quite frankly, it pisses me off. I yearn for the steady, normal, familiar, smooth sailing, no turbulence kind of day to day. We all know that's not the way things roll. I loved when my kids would settle into a routine, whether it be back to school, on summer break, a nasty sleep regression ending when they were littles, or finally getting over and ear infection and sleeping again. Then BOOM...a curveball when I was just getting adjusted to the speed of life. This season's curveball is empty nest. My mom heart is full as my college kids bust through the door, home for break, bringing with them mountains of laundry, staying up way too late, sleeping in and my empty nester kitchen is stocked full again.

If you're at all like me, you've got a written "to do" list (or a few) and a continually running "to do" list (or a few) in your head. It's like that grocery list, often left behind, on the counter. Rather than making a list of unattainable resolutions or a To-Do list for 2025, I've decided to make a "Not" To-Do for 2025 and set goals for things that I want to resolve, restore or renew in my day to day. Some of these will take A LOT of resolve on my end and some will be a renewal and restoration of a familiar routine. Yet, all are attainable and not overly ambitious - just as they should be.

Happy New Year...no need for a new you. I like you (and me) just fine!

Cheers-

XOXO

Jos