I’ve tried. I’ve really, really tried.
I just stink at making resolutions. I admire anyone who sets annual goals and achieves them. Just wish I could.
So, this year I’m trying something new. I am totally motivated by FUN! If it’s fun, count me in. (I know, I wish I were deeper, too.)
And nothing is more fun than trying something new. So, I’m approaching this new year in a whole new way. I’m making a list of twenty-two “try-to-do’s and “try-it-out’s.” And they don’t have to be serious.
What do you think? Do you think I will fool myself into making resolutions by calling it something else?
No. Me neither.
That’s why I’m NOT making them resolutions. They are suggestions for myself. Suggestions that have the potential of ramping up my happiness quotient.
While I’m Awake…
I’ve been occupying those awake hours that should be asleep hours by coming up with lists (as a total aside, this list-making obsession is a characteristic of the main character in my novel. More about my book here).
Some of my ideas are quirky (no surprise there) and some of them might actually improve my life. Who knows?!
Because I can be long-winded–make that long-worded–I’m chopping this post in two. Come back Thursday to learn what the second part of my list includes. I promise nothing but inspiration…and a few chuckles. For now, here’s the first eleven of my twenty-two try-to’s.
My Try-To/Try-Out List: Part One
Try to read twenty-two books by twenty-two debut authors. Since signing my contract with Regal House, I’ve become much more sensitive to this breed. Debut authors deserve all the love. Getting a book published is an arduous task. The wheels of the book world machine grind exceedingly slow (Or is that slowly? See why it’s hard to write?!) I’m all for supporting new authors who, bless our hearts, just want somebody to read our creations. We secretly want EVERYONE to love it like we do, but we’re not a stupid lot. It’s more realistic to want at least one person besides our mother and best friend to love it. All that to say: I’m coming for you, fellow newbies! Keep me up to date on your launches. Out Front the Following Sea by Leah Angstman and Save the Village by Michele Herman are on my radar.
Try to write twenty-two notes to our grands. I used to love to get mail from my grandmother. I wish I still did. By the way, this website is a great one for intentional grandparenting.
Try to encourage others twenty-two times a week. Truthfully, I can’t see me keeping up with the number. But, the idea is to be more aware of opportunities to bolster the people in my life. The parenting advisors back in my day always said, “Find your child doing something good and praise him for it.” With no kids at home (for a while now!) I’m translating that advice to apply to absolutely everyone I meet. That cashier at the grocery store who is pleasant AND efficient? She’s getting a lift from this customer right here. (I’m pointing at myself.
4. Try to learn twenty-two new ways to tie a scarf. I will always love scarves. They add so much to an outfit. And they keep your neck covered…I mean warm.
5. Try out twenty-two new recipes. This ought to be easy since I love to eat. That said, I do tend to rely on old faithfuls. But, I’ve already got a couple in mind. Does anyone keep up with the blog Half Baked Harvest? Love following Tieghan Gerard! Anyway, in her cookbook Half Baked Harvest Super Simple she’s got plenty of new recipes for me to try. Gingered Thai Steak and Pepper Salad anyone? Or, Butter-Roasted Tomato Soup? (It’s January. We’re eating soup and salad in an attempt to get back to pre-holiday weight. Right? Not exactly sure these recipes qualify as low-cal, but at least they aren’t macaroni and cheese sprinkled with bacon…is that a thing? Should be.)
6. Try to take classes from twenty-two different Peloton instructors. This could be hard since I have my favorites. On the other hand, I do like variety.
7. Try to make twenty-two “new” outfits with the clothes in my closet. I seriously doubt I will achieve this. I tend to be a one top with one bottom kinda fashionista. BUT, I just learned there are around ten apps that can help with this. Check out a few of them here.
8. Try to stretch for twenty-two minutes every day. I’m serious about this one. I sit in front of my computer for hours at a time. I’m setting an alarm on my watch to remind me to stretch. Check out these apps about stretching.
9. Try to learn how to tell a joke. This may be my undoing. I am an AWFUL joke teller. That’s why I’m not going for telling twenty-two jokes. I’m going to practice the same joke twenty-two times and tell it to twenty-two different people. I mean, come on, it wouldn’t be kind to make the hubster listen to it over and over. In fact, that would be the opposite of kind. What they call “cruel.” I’m going to study the anatomy of a joke here.
10. Try to learn Portuguese. In case I go to Portugal, Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, or Brazil. No, I don’t have any plans to go to any of these places, but what could it hurt to be prepared?
11. Try to say “no” twenty-two times. I don’t have to spell this out do I? I say “yes” too much. Maybe. Okay, I’ll try to say “no” to twenty-two ridiculous requests, and I’ll be the judge of ridiculousness i.e. Asking me to run around the neighborhood is ridiculous. Asking me to run down the street is ridiculous. Asking me to run is ridiculous. On the other hand, asking me to eat another bite of dessert is NOT ridiculous.
That’s It for Now
What do you think about my list so far? I’m feeling pretty good about it! It’s very achievable and yet challenging.
The pressure of RESOLUTIONS is off. I’m just going to try, thereby eliminating the prospect of failure. By this age, I have mostly overcome my fear of failure, but when I wrote this I realized a teensy bit of that must still linger on a cellular level. It’s not that I fear failing anymore, I just LOVE achieving.
So, by setting twenty-two try-to’s I am giving myself many more opportunities for success. If I do MOST of what’s on this list of twenty-two, I’ll be very happy with myself.
Come back Thursday to see what my final eleven try-to’s are.
How are you at keeping New Year’s resolutions? Do you make some every year?
Tell us!
Linda Hart
I don’t do resolutions… might try a new thing or two but usually settle for tried and true! Pretty boring like that!🤗
Tracey Buchanan
You are far from boring!
Connie Smith
I enjoyed reading your blog and look forward to Thursday.
Tracey Buchanan
Thanks Connie! To accommodate my schedule for writing my next book I’m cutting back on blogging. But you’ll still get one every Tuesday!!
Julie
I’m intimidated by the first 11, but I’ll be back on Thursday!
Tracey Buchanan
Ha! Remember, it’s all about trying! 😉
Lynda L Sinclair
Tracey I love love your blogs. Brightens my day. When you have the “best” 22 ways to wear a scarf please post photos. I have two drawers full of scarves from all over. Jerry went not me 🙁 and brought them back from who knows where.
Tracey Buchanan
Thank you, Lynda! I’ll keep you posted (Ha-did you see what I did there?).