2019 Resolutions: Presence

This isn't the first time (or likely the last time) there has been a dark age for this blog. When something, anything, starts to feel more like an obligation than a choice: red flag. If something doesn't bring you joy: red flag. If no one notices your blog has been taken down for months until your sister starts her own blog and suddenly everyone remembers you did that thing once too: just lol and move on.

I've posted on resolutions before (see 2018 and 2016 -- guess I skipped out on 2017) and there are mixed opinions about resolutions, especially as we get older. Some people think that it's a good way to set an unachievable goal and sets you up for failure in the first quarter of the year. Others feel if you really want something or to try something new or change a habit, just do it when you think of it rather than waiting for January 1st. But I think New Year's is a chance to look back on your year, how far you've come, who has been there along the way and think about what the next year holds.

Social media can be challenging at the best of times but do you really need it to tell you what your year was like through things like Best Nine (the top Instagram photos solely based on number of likes received) or Facebook video (similar premise, how much interaction you had online)? I'm a hypocrite, I love the Best Nine but I'm also a data person so love the numbers. Regardless, take a minute to see what sticks out about this year: football almost came home! It was a long, hot summer to remember! I can do crow pose in yoga! New countries were explored! The governments of the world went cray!

 

For 2019, my resolution, in a word: Presence. Remain in the present, in the moment. Check my phone less, ignore the tick to scroll mindlessly through Instagram when someone gets up from the table. Focus less on the future and more on the here and now.

 

I have a tendency to worry which is really just a kind way to say I get anxious. I've worked hard to get past the 'should' thinking: where I 'should' be in life, what I 'should' be doing based on someone else's expectations but I still [over]think about what my future holds. Am I doing what I need to be doing? (See how I just replaced "should" with "need"? Work in progress). Am I on the right path? (Right path meaning right path for me, not society's appointed path but if it's my path, why do I need to know what it is rather than just be on it?).

That's not to say I don't also have a [short] list of things I'm looking to do in 2019 but they will just add to the adventure, not define it.

Happy New Year!