We’re officially 10 days into 2023. The holidays are over, Capricorn season is in full swing, and January has once again surprised me by how NOT chill it is (January and I have that in common apparently).
Despite being a classic Capricorn, I have never properly set New Year’s resolutions, and this year that changed.
I’ve always had great reasons for skipping this annual ritual. At times, I resisted it because I had no desire to join the throngs who, swept up in yet another mainstream cultural tradition, disappoint themselves before Aries season even starts. Other times, I resisted simply due to my sneaky and only sometimes advantageous aversion to obligation. While I love structure and achievement, I hate it when I’m expected to act/feel a certain way at a certain time of year. I even have a vague memory of a more douchey version of myself telling some poor soul, who made the mistake of asking about my resolutions, that “I seek excellence always, so I don’t see a reason for resolutions in January.” (MASSIVE FACEPALM).
Unsurprisingly, the truth is far less soap box-worthy and more cringe-worthy. Isn’t it cute that we get so self-righteous when we’re resisting something that is in our best interest?
Luckily, the latter half of my twenties and beginning of my thirties produced a far more open-minded, far less obtuse Bailey. Here I am, solidly in my mid-thirties, doing almost nothing that has ever been expected of me, BUT I made resolutions and sent out Christmas Cards (a topic for another post).
I have come to the pleasantly horrifying conclusion that I resisted setting clear goals because they would shed light on my deficiencies and make failure possible. After all, one who observes from an ivory tower rarely gets stuck in the mud. And without defined success, I would never have to admit to myself that I failed. I could keep myself busy checking off lists and looking productive. I could fool everyone (including myself) into thinking I was accomplishing things.
Talk about sabotage . . .
Needless to say, in my infinite 34-year-old wisdom, I sat down a mere 10 days into the new year and made some clearly defined, realistic goals for myself this year. In the spirit of vulnerability and transparency (the mainstays of this blog), I’ll share mine (well, most of them;))
- Blog Weekly
- Practice Meditation or Breath Work 5x Weekly
- Re-Acquaint Myself with Spanish (enough to have a full conversation)
- Gain Enough Weight to Workout with Amanda Wilson Again
- Throw At Least 3 Parties
- Coordinate At Least 3 More Giveaways
I would love for you all to keep me accountable! If I fail, I fail. This is the first year I have any chance of true success.
What are your thoughts on resolutions? Do you make them? Do you keep them? If you make them, what are yours this year?
Let’s keep the conversation going! find me @bailey_bowerman
xoxo Your Favorite Late Bloomer
