By: Phyllis Bivins-Hudson
December is always the time of year when we begin thinking about the gifts we will buy and wrap for loved ones and friends. It can also be a sad time of year for those who have lost loved ones or for those who have no family.
However, December can be viewed as a precursor to what we bring to the proverbial table for consideration of change. In other words, we generally wait until January and then spew out all the items on our list of resolutions.
Why not think of them as goals instead of resolutions?
You might find that you will be able to keep to them rather than stray as we often do once January, February, and maybe March have come and gone.
Many of us have good intentions when we set out on January 1 to start the routine that has become tradition, but many of us never reach the finish line.
So I thought if maybe we looked at our resolutions as a list of practical things to do, and goals to reach, we might fare better.
With that in mind, I conducted some research and came up with what I will call 12 very practical and very doable goals to reach for 2025.
Here goes…
- Start a gratitude journal highlighting as many things as you can think of for which you are grateful. This kind of activity has health benefits too. At year’s end, look back at all the things for which you have been grateful. Count them each as blessings.
Make time for family. Life is shorter than you think. I am always saddened when I hear stories of loved ones left behind who lost a family member or friend and they are feeling unfulfilled because they didn’t get to see that person or say something important to them. We often take family and friends for granted thinking they are always going to be there.
But that is so far from the truth! Make it a point to connect with someone you’ve not seen, heard from, or spoken to in a while.
Be cognizant of your thoughts as well as the words you allow to come out of your mouth. We used to say sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me. But that is not true.
Words have a stinging and lasting effect. There are hurtful words I remember to this day that were said to me as a child and those same words have impacted how I navigate certain parts of my world.
On the flip side, there are words I remember that were beautiful ones which have also stayed with me. So be careful what you say to people.
1. Read more books. It seems reading a physical book is becoming a thing of the past. But there is real value to having a book in your hand to read. It can reduce distractions, improve focus and comprehension, and help you have a more immersive experience and a tangible connection to the story.
2. Make sleep a priority. I have to do this. I am a night owl and never really get enough sleep. Sleep is extremely important because it has so many health benefits.
Start with small adjustments such as winding down before bedtime, monitoring what you drink and eat before bedtime, etc.
My mind is always revved up before I go to bed, therefore, I have to have something to center me. Usually, I listen to a radio program that puts me fast to sleep. What will you do to combat your lack of restful sleep?
3. Learn a new skill even if it’s just a computer skill. For older adults, computers can be a challenge. So learning how to do something specific on the computer can help alleviate some of the challenges associated with unfamiliarity with what’s happening in the world of computers. For those who are already computer-savvy, pick up a new skill. Be daring and try something you’ve never done before.
4. Volunteering is as old as time but is still a much-needed service. In today’s climate, anyone can do so. People have become so creative with their time and resources.
For instance, if you don’t have the time to go out and volunteer in a physical place, you might consider volunteering your services online. Perhaps reading to a group of children or shut-in adults via Zoom or some other platform. Be as creative as you like. The sky truly is the limit.
5. Pledge to drink more water.
Many of us do not drink enough water. I used to wonder why I often had a nagging unproductive cough. Then I learned that it was because I was not drinking an adequate amount of water daily. I was on the verge of dehydration.
I do better now, but I can do even better. Find a way to get in at least 6-8 glasses a day. For me, that’s a lot, and I don’t fool myself into thinking it’s easy, however, I have found a way that works for me.
I purchase bottles that have 6 glasses of water in them. If I finish one every day, I have met my quota. Do I finish one every day? Absolutely not, but because I am making a valid attempt, I’m better off because I am drinking much more water than I previously did when I did not monitor my intake at all.
6. Practice kindness. Do simple unexpected things for random people as well as people you know. A real challenge is to be kind to someone you don’t particularly care for or someone you know who doesn’t care for you. Being kind doesn’t cost anything.
Practicing kind acts can only make you become a better version of yourself. Include each of these acts in your gratitude journal then look at them at year’s end to count the many blessings you will have bestowed on others. What a great feeling that will be!
7. Become a mentor. There are so many children and young adults who could benefit from your expertise.
If you don’t know where to start looking for people to mentor, try your local schools, churches, and social programs. They are always looking for mentors. These acts will provide you with some feel-good moments too.
Set aside some “Me Time” that’s just for you and no one else. Make it known to those around you so they don’t feel shut out when you go into your own headspace or private space or whatever you decide.
But stick to your plan. And give yourself at least one hour of uninterrupted “Me Time”. You’ll thank yourself once this becomes a habit.
8. Finally, get your life in order. Start with getting organized. I find that when I have too much on my work plate and things begin to pile up, I start to feel uneasy and unorganized.
Until I get every item in its place, every email answered, every bill paid, every scrap of paper in the wastebasket, everything associated with my work life in some kind of working order, I can’t rest comfortably.
Once these things are in place, I feel the freedom to do other things without looking over my shoulder at the mess I’ve just cleaned up. It inspires me.
Well, I hope you will look at December from this lens and use January to begin putting these things into practice.
By thinking about them now, you won’t have to give any thought to them in January. When January 1 comes, you should be ready to roll into your new goals. I’m going to be right there with you, trying out everything I have suggested.
In the meantime, happy holidays, good luck with your new goals and I will see you next time. Until then, keep flying on your own wings.
