my 2024 resolutions
In just a few days the gyms will be overrun with people, Stanleys will be fished out from the back of the cupboard, and trash cans will be stuffed with the leftover sugary treats from the holiday season. Resolution season is upon us.
Coming up with my first draft of resolutions was incredibly easy. Why? Because all I had to do was copy-paste from last year, and the year before, and likely the year before that. Looking back at my resolutions for 2020 could be a carbon copy of what I want to focus on this year. And that word — focus — is the word echoing in my head as I begin to board the Resolution Express.
Rather than creating a list of binary goals, I want to be a little more intentional with my focus (time) this year. This goes against a blog I published years ago, in which I said every resolution should follow the SMART goal methodology, so if you’ve been with me since then, we’re trying something new.
I track and report enough in my work, I don’t want these goals to be measured against some type of scorecard that’s going to make me feel some kind of way if I don’t achieve an arbitrary metric.
2024 Resolutions or 2024 Focus Areas
*Note: ALL of these areas are important to me. And because the balance (or harmony) of these will shift on a very regular basis, the categories are in alphabetical order.
Beauty
To be nicer to my skin and protect my future self, I would like to focus more on my skincare in 2024. To me, that looks like investing in higher quality products, wearing SPF, and taking makeup off at the end of the day (on the days I wear it).
And if my budget allows, I’d like to get a facial at least quarterly with the season changes.
Career
As I settle into my new role, I would like to focus on a few key things:
First, be realistic with my time — how and when I can help, lean in, and show up for others, then communicate accordingly.
Second, work on prioritizing and delegating more effectively.
And third, creating (and holding) space for learning opportunities — whether education-based or through on-the-job lessons and the (hopefully rare) misstep.
Family
Billy and I have talked about (at least) one night per week where we put our phones away and spend intentional time together — this could be playing games, cooking together, or watching Bravo like we usually do, just without the additional distractions.
Additionally, we’ve agreed on one international trip together in the fall (Italian honeymoon!) and smaller trips or staycations in the other quarters of the year to celebrate the work we’ve put in, build connection, and unplug from the real world momentarily for a mental reset.
Lastly, I’d like to focus more on my family (blood-related and chosen) back home, too — which could look like more Facetime calls, visits back home, or hosting them here in Seattle.
Health
It’s been on my list for a decade, but this is the year I need to get serious about water intake. I haven’t worked out the mechanism of how I’m going to achieve this one yet, but it HAS to be different this year. I am certain my overall health isn’t where it’s supposed to be in part because of this.
I’m not going to set myself up for failure with my Apple Watch rings or calorie counting — but I am making movement a part of my health focus area in the new year. Maybe I’ll ride my new bike more, ski more this season, or take up a new physical hobby.
Mind
I would like to go back to therapy this year. I did some work to find a therapist in 2023 and attended a few sessions to re-up my toolkit, but I need to put in some more work to refine those skills I acquired years ago.
I would also like to focus more on my overall mental health and gratitude through journaling. (Shout out Papier Wellness Journal!)
Soul
I’m starting to feel that existential crisis creeping up on me. Maybe it’s that 20-year reunion coming up, seeing family (and myself) aging, or a planet in retrograde, but I need to calm the swirling that’s happening in my soul. I’ve been a part of religious services before, and haven’t found the right fit. I’ve considered myself more spiritual than religious, but not quite sure what that looks like today, either. I’d like to spend some time this year figuring that out.
Seems simple enough, right? Notice that I’m not putting specific numbers or milestone achievements on any of these. As I said earlier, these will ebb and flow in priority regularly. It may end up feeling like work. Hell, a lot of stuff does when you’re focused on it. But I think that’s when you see the results, no?
Semi-related: The adage about picking a job you love so it doesn’t feel like work — I think that’s a crock of shit. You can love what you do and it still takes physical and mental energy. Look at your friendships, your family, your partner, hobbies, sports, anything. It takes work. It takes effort. It takes focus.