Let's Talk About...The New Year

Ok. 2023 is just about over and 2024 is patiently waiting to arrive. It is the time of year usually set aside for reflection. At the same time, it is the time of year when we are pretty exhausted from the holidays. The week between Christmas and New Year's is when work is slow, visitors start to leave, and the house is a mess. In other words, you are out of your routine and don't really know what to do with yourself.

I am not sure that this is the optimal time to be making new year's resolutions since you might have been overeating and over drinking and not sleeping very well for the past week.

Nonetheless, some people are determined to make decisions to change something fundamental in their lives for the coming year while in this rudderless state. Perhaps that is one reason new year's resolutions are hard to keep past January 15. As a result, I try to avoid resolutions since I don't like to set myself up for failure.

Recently I was asked to reflect on 2023 and share my goals for the coming year. Now most years I have something in mind, like give time at a charity, take more time out for myself, be a better listener, or learn a new craft. And of course, lose 15 pounds.

But when I was asked that question this year, I just blurted out, "Stay the course!"

How lucky I am to feel that way and say those words. I am out of Covid isolation, I am almost back to full speed ahead on social interactions, travel and hugs. In fact, I have met new people, feel comfortable going to the movies, went to my high school reunion, hung out in a swimming pool with my family for a week, and discovered a new Costco. Life is pretty good.

I also have this great opportunity to write this column every week where I try to remind myself of all the many relatable shared human experiences we have that connect us and remind us we have much more in common than differences. In the end, life's little annoyances are really what keep us alive and talking to each other.

For example, we all love to talk about the weather, we all slightly panic when we have to order coffee, we all have that weird family dynamic when loading the dishwasher or when finding the scissors that have been in the same drawer for 15 years. We all like to complain about Daylight Savings Time and all the dog hwair on everything we own.

While the state of the world seems to divide people, I hope we all find the myriad of shared experiences that connect us every day. And not sweat the small stuff.

When the calendar flips from 2023 to 2024, and time cruises by, I may feel older but, with age, I appreciate when life is smooth sailing and realize how quickly the ship can run aground. I will simply try not to rock the boat in the new year and enjoy the wave.