Experiments, Not Resolutions

[This is an updated version of my blog posted on 1 January 2022 .]

This time last year, 2023 was born full of unexpected pleasures and challenges, full of potential, and full of opportunities to live the life we want. How many of us made New Year’s resolutions? If you have ever made resolutions, how did it work for you? Were they sustainable? Did they last a week, a month? Why do resolutions often fail to stick?

Several years ago, my brother shared an approach to the launch of a new year that impressed me so much I planned and incorporated the approach in 2020, 2021 and will do it again in 2024. I chose monthly or quarterly experiments rather than resolutions or goals for the year. Each month or quarter, I tried out something. If it was beneficial, I considered taking it in as a change in my life. If it wasn’t advantages to me, I didn’t continue the experiment. Because it wasn’t a long-term commitment like an entire year would have been, I felt like trying something for only a month was workable. Here are some examples of my 2020 and 2021 monthly or quarterly experiments and the results:

*No social media It was a strange experience and a worthy experiment. I realized how much wasted time I spent on several social media platforms. I saw how mood-altering social media was. I decided to drop lots of “friends” and unfollow some groups and extraneous adverts. I extended the monthly experiment through the next month, then, I decided to pop back in to social media, but not invest as much time and of myself as I had before I took a break from it.

*Capsule Wardrobe January - March, I committed to the ‘Project 333’ https://bemorewithless.com/ . It was a powerful experiment that has forever changed my wardrobe and clothing buying. I addition, it has become one of several tools to live a minimalistic life.

*Walking 2 miles a day I chose a winter month to do this experiment because I knew it would be extra challenging to walk in the cold weather. I ended up joining the YMCA to walk indoors on a treadmill and that got me going to the ‘Y’ for water aerobics, yoga, and other classes.

*Read for pleasure Even though I love to read, this was a tough one because, at the time, I was a college English professor so my job included reading, reading, reading papers. Still, I realized how much I missed reading for reading pleasure. Because I’m a writer, reading is essential.

*Cooking every day This was a great experiment because I learned that I like a combination of cooking at home and going out to eat.

*No complaining This was a difficult experiment. It showed me how much I complained and how complaining seemed to be the glue that held together some friendships. I do complain sometimes now, but I know why I do it rather than it being an unconscious act.

*No alcohol This was easier than I thought, and the results were clear thinking, naturally luminous skin, and reduced puffiness under my eyes. I kept this experiment and don’t drink alcohol anymore; I don’t miss it now that I used to not imbibing.

I don’t make resolutions yearly goals anymore; committing to monthly or quarterly experiments works best for me. Here’s a beneficial article on choosing to try experiments rather than resolutions; it shares logic for why this approach works for many people and it gives lots of examples: https://www.guidetoelevate.com/resolutions-nah-experiment-your-way-to-a-better-year/

Perhaps you, too, want to try short-term experiments over writing goals and resolutions. If so, what experiment will you commit to this month or first quarter? Please share your thoughts and insights by either commenting below this post if you are reading this on social media, or, if you are reading this through your email subscription, please share, by emailing me, at reimaginelife22@gmail.com.

Thank you for reading and participating in this blog essay; I invite you to subscribe to my blog at www.reimaginelifecoach.com. Here’s hoping 2024 is a magical year for all of us!