Simple, Short Suggestions for a New You this New Year

The following is a guest post by contributor Ross McIntyre. We support the sharing of ideas relevant to humanism here on our blog, but the views expressed in any guest post do not necessarily reflect the views of Humanists of Linn County.

Psychologists are in disagreement about this tradition of “New Year’s resolutions.” On one hand, sometimes resolutions are needed at one point or another – but on the other hand, we train ourselves poorly when we break resolutions so consistently. So here are a few things we might do without a resolution to break along the way – maybe a resolution just to think long and hard about these things is enough?

Here are actions and minutes required – and even if it is all done in the first week, it will still make us better people for the following 51 weeks.

1 Minute

● Summarize a “thought for the day” for yourself

● Pay for someone else’s coffee

● Take a closer look at something you would have just passed without noticing.

● Give online to a charity

● Consider a mistake you made that day and laugh about it. If you made no mistakes, determine to make one tomorrow – it is the only way to learn.

3 Minutes

● Send someone an encouraging message

● Write down 3 things to be grateful for

● Review knowledge of the birds species in your neighborhood

● Set up a place at your home or office for all plastic bags that would otherwise be trash and then they can be dropped off at the local Walmart

● Read some inspiring quotes from the Bible, the Koran, the Vedas, or other religious texts that may not be familiar to you

5 Minutes

● Listen to music from an unfamiliar genre

● Write down a journal entry-style summary of thoughts on current events

● Find five items that have not been used in the last year to give – or throw – away

● Set time limits/alerts on all of your device apps

● Read a chapter or blog post on a random subject

10 Minutes

● Do something you really enjoy – go for a walk or play a game on your device

● Listen carefully to the complete answer to one question

● Write a (polite) note to your representative, senator, or mayor

● Read some poetry before bed at night

● Plan a bright wardrobe for a day, to bring cheer wherever you go

Happy 2022, from the Humanists of Linn County!