Resolutioning

I hesitated to write this post - and, well, to partake in resolution-making (and sharing it). Pop culture tells me resolutions "don't work" and I so want to be too cool and above all of this. But one aspect of this journey for me (and by journey, I mean shift in my life's focus and purpose) is embracing being unabashedly me. There is so much hubbub out there telling us how to think and believe and be. And, frankly, I am tired of the noise. You can find a HuffPo article or Medium thought-piece that supports any whim, position, opinion, or view. But confirmation bias is weak, lazy, and a way of kidding oneself. So here's where I am at:

I love a new year! I love a new...anything. A new training plan. A new semester (fresh syllabus, fresh planner, new books!). A new home. New shoes. I like fresh starts. They feel really, really good and hopeful. And, if I look back at the many (many, many) restarts that I've had in my adult life, I think that, in the aggregate, they've helped me thrive. They've certainly made me who I am today. And the problem, for me, has been less about not "sticking with" things to keep the energy flowing and more about losing trust and belief in myself. The world - the noise - has intimidated or exhausted me and I've lost faith in the value of the work. And that's what I am trying to change.

I shared some of my current goals in my last post, but I'll bullet point some more concrete goals and intentions here:

1. Return to fitness/athletic competition participation
2. Address my physical health, including: nutrition, weight loss, and heart health
3. Address my mental health/overall wellness: be more consistent with self-care and mindfulness
4. A bunch of stuff related to parenting
5. A bunch of stuff related to my professional life and community service

Super original list, right? It could be a super-fascinating article in Cosmo. But I admitted up front that I was embracing clichés with my reboot. And I refuse to attempt to be overly deep and profound if it's not authentically me.

So, how am I tackling this realness? In a list, here is the "plan:"

• Peloton (cycling, running, strength, stretch, etc. - utilizing all of the content)
• Working with (fitness) coach
• Official running/other events TBA
• More walking, less sitting
• Eating less sugar
• Temporary eliminating alcohol
• Reducing alcohol overall
• Joining WW 
• Working with a therapist
• Working with a (life) coach
• Revisiting my mindfulness materials
• Less time on social media, TV (I love TV)
• Blogging
• Parenting stuff (snooze)
• Work and community service stuff (TBA)

To be honest, it feels a bit gooey and nauseating to share all of this. I am fully aware that there is nothing earth-shattering or notable here. But as I said up front: part of the work that I have been doing is realizing the power of vulnerability. (Yes, I love Brene Brown). 

So there you have it. My completely unoriginal but nonetheless accurate list of resolutions. 

I'd love for you to reach out if you have ideas, questions, encouragement, or similar challenges. And, if you decide to get on the Peloton wagon, let me know and I'll get you a referral code for a discount!

Happy 2022, y'all.