What will you resolve to do in 2019?
For some reason, as we get older, the pages of the calendar seem to turn over faster and faster each year. And, poof! All of a sudden we find ourselves in 2019.
The start of the New Year is the perfect time to reflect on where you are in life and where you’d like to be in the future. If you think this exercise is just for those in their 20s, 30s, 40s or 50s, then think again.
As we move into different stages in our life, whether that be semi-retirement or retirement, it’s just as important to think about what you’ve already accomplished and what you’d still like to do. Taking the time to set New Year’s resolutions is a great way to do this.
“Sometimes seniors will say, why bother with a New Year’s resolution? I’ve worked hard, I’ve done what I need to do. While this may be true, resolving to do something new can be very uplifting and energizing. It can also give seniors something more to look forward to in the New Year,” said Jody Kehler, Senior Living Specialist.
While New Year’s resolutions for seniors may not be career-related or perhaps even finance related, there are still plenty of ways to have an impact on the local community, your own personal lifestyle or your family.
Sometimes, the hardest part of setting a New Year’s resolution is trying to figure out what it is you’d like to do before the next December rolls around. Here are some ideas to get you started. Resolve to:
- Spend more time with family — your children, grandchildren, nieces/nephews, in-laws, and siblings. This may seem like an obvious one, but it isn’t always the case. Be present at their activities; engage more in their day-to-day lives; offer to help out, if you can, with meals, driving or other chores; set dates to go through journals, to develop family trees, share family recipe’s, sort and organize family photos, etc.
- Volunteer at an organization that is near and dear to your heart. So many non-profit groups rely on volunteers to stay afloat. If you are able to commit to helping once a week or even every couple of weeks, it will make a tremendous difference.
- Start a new hobby or reestablish one that you used to enjoy.
- Be more physically active and be aware of your overall health (maybe resolve to eating a little less chocolate cake!).
- Socialize more by reviving old friendships
- Write a book, write letters to friends and family, use your special talent to make keepsakes for everyone.
- Take a course, perhaps to help you to be more tech savvy. Vow to learn a new card game or get involved with something you’ve never done before.
Truly, the sky is the limit. The key is to choose a resolution that is achievable. Then, as you look back on 2019 you’ll be that much more impressed with yourself!