why i don’t make New Year resolutions

If you just read the first few sentences of this thing, it honestly just sounds like bullshit. I mean, whats the difference?!

Here is the thing for me, every year up until about 10 years ago, I would set out my paper and pen and start scribbling all the usual suspects this time of year.

1. lose weight

2. get organized

3. travel more

4. Journal/meditate

Blah, Blah, Blah..

And you know what? These are still on my yearly “get it together, Anna” list. But, more times than not for myself, I would fall off half way through January and feel like I totally failed myself yet again. So, these have permanent residency in my life and I tend to pick up the focus throughout the year depending on where I am at. I am not saying this is the best way, just that this is my way.

So, what do I do every year? Every year I promise myself that I will do at least 3 things that scare me or take me out of my comfort zone. I do not force myself to pick them in January. I say 3 just to make sure I do a few things. But, more times than not they are sprinkled all over my year. And whenever I find myself doing something new and scary I remind myself “here is another one for this list!” Traveling, hiking, learning are ALWAYS on this list. This has gotten me up literal mountains and just the other week, it got me to jump in Lake Michigan in December. I have opened up a Kombucha business this way as well as a cafe. It has even gotten me here right now writing this very blog.

This may very well be read by absolutely nobody and at the end of the day, I am ok with that. Because, if 2024 has taught me anything it is that tomorrow is not promised to us. In 2024 I have survived the passing of my 20 year old son. This was to put it mildly,, HARD. It has made most days hard. But, I have used this situation to catapult me into a different path in life. I have leaned into living my most honest life. In Presley’s honor. I have started teaching Yoga at a recovery center, I have made myself familiar with local organizations and ways that I can be helpful within them. I have lived out of my “comfort zone”. This topic is still too painful to speak publicly about. But, it is on a list in my head to do when I am ready.

But, on a lighter note…

What is on my 2025 list?

1. Definetly to hike to the top of Catherdral Rock in Sedona (I didnt have the right shoes fo this in 2024

2. Lead a Yoga for 12 step recovery class at least once monthly

3. Travel with my family somewhere tropical

This is all I have so far and I know this list will grow as I do in 2025. But, no rush to know exaclty what is on my “to-do”. It will all play out as it should in its time.

What is on your 2025 list? Resolution or not, I wanna hear about it.