We have ushered the new year, 2018, into our lives now. Each year I debate whether I should make resolutions or forget the whole thing. One year, I decided on “unresolution resolutions” after reading about them by the writer, Lisa Scottoline. I thought about some unresolution possibilities: keep on decluttering, continue applying minimalist concepts in my life, etc. But why write them down if I’m going to keep on doing them? Also, I like the idea of improving myself with new goals. Always the optimist.
Writer (and self-proclaimed “happiness bully”), Gretchen Rubin, has suggested finding a theme for the year. I’ve tried that, too, and like the idea in theory, but I often forget about it. I thought about tossing that idea, but I’m still going for it this year. I just need to create some kind of reminder. I considered various themes and decided on “more inner calm” as I tend to worry and stress out too easily. Quitting my job last week doesn’t help in the worrying part of my life (but helps in the stress part). Nevertheless, I’m determined to find more calm and peace on this minimalism journey I’m taking.
Then I heard Gretchen Rubin and her sister, Elizabeth Craft, (who first mentioned it on the Happier in Hollywood podcast) discuss the idea of making a list of 18 things to do for 2018 on their joint podcast, Happier with Gretchen Rubin. This came about after a listener (age 30-something) suggested doing one thing for each of her years. The idea of doing one thing for each of my years is too overwhelming for this mid-lifer, so I’m going with the “18 in 2018” model. I’ve reflected on the past year, one with many changes in my personal and professional life, and decided to keep on rock-and-rolling with a few more. Some changes are big and some small, some are regular habits and some are one-timers. It’s an ambitious list, but why not? If I can manage most of them, then I figure I can minimize next year’s goals. So here we go! Happy 2018!
My 18 in 2018
- Start again (yoga, meditation, strength work)
- Improve eating habits (meal plan, reduce sugar, no soda)
- Write more (prep house fire blog for publishing, expand readership of Mid-life Minimalist blog, do the “write a book in a month” project aka NaNoWriMo)
- Travel (be a tourist at home, plan trip to visit family, plan trip to Europe for next year)
- Learn (something new, documentaries, use apps for languages)
- Miscellaneous (find a job, get a bike, join a committee)
Zac helps with yoga practice
Meditation cushion in my favorite color
RESOURCES
After the Fire: Rebuilding House and Life after a Fire
Craft, Elizabeth and Sarah Fain Happier in Hollywood (podcast)
Rubin, Gretchen The Happiness Project (Revised Edition): Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun
Scottoline, Lisa My Nest Isn’t Empty, It Just Has More Closet Space: The Amazing Adventures of an Ordinary Woman
For more resources, go to this page: Resources
Related Blog Posts
You Can Teach an Old Dog New Tricks
A New Year of Minimalism (2017)
Starting Over in Mid-life: 5 Suggestions and 2 Warnings
There is a Season: Suggestions for Turning towards Autumn
List sounds great! I want to go Germany
.
I was born there.
Also would like to visit Hungary where my huge family lives.
Could you please tell me how to find a group trip for Germany.
I dont like to travel abroud alone.
TIA!
Thanks for reading! I don’t really know about group trips, though. I used to live in Germany and so I just stay with friends. Try a travel agency or maybe a Meetup group for information.
i am in mid life. I like your theme already! Thanks for putting such a positive spin on the new year
Thanks for reading! I’m generally a positive person, but I still need reminders now and then!