I wrote last week about those annual resolutions we dole out to ourselves at the turn of each new year. Then I was reminded listening to a podcast that those of us in education really do not consider January the beginning of a new year but August instead. And usually we dole out resolutions in August as well kicking off the new school year. So, twice in a year we set ourselves up for failure. As the days pass into months the drive to master these "changes" in our lives tends to dwindle.
I was not surprised to see an article pop up on my newsfeed that announced the top ten resolutions of 2024. And as I read the list, I realized I could have guessed them all and they were likely not anything new to 2024 or even 1987. They all revolved around money, health, and time.
Three of these top resolutions were:
1. Save more money. 2. Work to get out of debt. 3. Spend less money on household expenses.
I cannot remember a time in my adult years when things have seemed this expensive. Interest rates are sky high. Taxes are hitting from every direction. Grocery prices have doubled. There doesn't seem to be an end to this incline of inflation.
Four of these resolutions dealt with our health.
1. To exercise more. 2. Lose weight. 3. Eat healthier. 4. Manage stress better.
Moving and diet are the keys to being a healthier person, but I must admit the fourth dealing with stress revolves around the six resolutions that came before.
The final three top resolutions deal with that which we cannot replace, and we cannot get back: Father Time.
1. Spend more time with family and friends. 2. Spend less time on social media. 3. Manage a balance of time between work and homelife. And these are those resolutions that I believe fall away first, even before cutting out sweets. Time is actually the most precious commodity we are given, and it is the most difficult to manage. There is never really enough time in the day to fit everything in.
Over 40% of the people polled had the intention of spending more time with family and friends on their list. And just under 20% of people were going to attempt to spend less time scrolling. I have literally witnessed on numerous occasions families and friends sitting at a table of food and everyone is on a cellular device. Combining these two resolutions could kill two birds with one stone.
Balancing time between work and home life is something new I have begun to hear more often. It is a new phrase called "life balance". Women are encouraged to not feel guilty when at work or at home not thinking about the other. And they are encouraged to be firm with defending their time at home and not bringing work home.
But then in the same article about balancing time a suggestion was to fill your cup before you can fill anyone else's. And never feel guilty about time spent with your children you can never get back. Sounds like some heavy guilt feelings that are inescapable.
I actually believe hitting the gym three days a week or cutting out fried foods would be easier to accomplish and much less guilt producing if a day is missed or a plate of fried chicken pops up by mid-week.
Maybe these resolutions are pretty universal when it comes to the average adult couple braving the world as we know it today. Maybe we will always be trying to manage money, fitness, and time. And maybe this is just one more reminder that we are all on this spinning wheel together rowing the same proverbial boat!
