Common New Year’s Resolutions Don’t Apply to Me

Let’s talk about New Year’s resolutions. For the most part, I already live the way I want to and don’t feel the need to set any new goals, so I end up with the same “resolutions” every year:

• Try to not get pneumonia: This is probably a common goal in the spinal muscular atrophy community.
• Read more books: I read 40 books in 2019. I want to read 50 books in 2020.
• Be a semi-decent human being: This isn’t necessarily mandatory. Because if being a decent human being doesn’t work out, I can always opt for being a swamp witch. In fact, that might be easier.

The popular resolutions just don’t apply to me. I don’t need to exercise more. I have a basic stretching routine that I do daily; any other exercise would likely break me. My diet is good enough. It’s consistent. And I tend to have a very good work ethic. Usually, I can even work through mild fatigue.

I try to take care of myself as best I can. Less stress would be nice. But stress is a side effect of life and seems to happen entirely at random.

Book publishing and book writing is a goal, but never a New Year’s resolution. That will happen when it needs to happen, whether this year or five years down the road.

I don’t believe in making New Year’s resolutions. I believe that I should be aware of my habits and actively practice self-care. I don’t want to make a resolution only on New Year’s Day. I want to start my resolutions at any time.

For some people, New Year’s resolutions work and that’s great. They are a fresh start. But so many others start a New Year’s resolution and quit a month later.

Did you know that making New Year’s resolutions is a roughly 4,000-year-old tradition, dating to the Babylonians? I had no idea until I was researching for this column.

As I said, I have resolutions that I live by all the time. And I always love the beginning of a new year. Another year to live and laugh. To have fun.

Do you have any New Year’s traditions? What are they? Do you make New Year’s resolutions? If so, what resolutions have you made for this year? Answer in the comments below.

***

Note: SMA News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of SMA News Today, or its parent company, Bionews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to spinal muscular atrophy.