This Is Why I’m Not Making New Year Resolutions for 2018

I’ve always been a planner. I thrive on organization and knowing what’s coming next.

With that being said, I’m not a big surprise person.

Until this year. It’s now 2018. A new year with new goals.

As you may know already, I just finished up my first full year as a freelance writer. 2017 was good to me. I met a lot of new clients and scored a lot of fun, interesting work. I stayed busy and got to do what I loved, all while working from home and seeing my kids more.

I made New Year resolutions in 2017:

• Drink more water.
• Lose weight.
• Get a good chunk of debt paid.

I know, these are probably the most cliche resolutions in the world. Did I keep them? For the most part, yes. I started cutting out juice and iced tea for water. I lost a few pounds and stayed more active. And, I’ve been steadily paying down debt using the snowball technique.

Movin’ on up, no resolutions required.

So Why the Heck Am I Not Making 2018 Resolutions?

Although I stuck to my resolutions in 2017, I’ve also learned something really important. Get ready, because it’s a good lesson for everyone to learn. You ready? Here it goes:

You can’t plan life.

Plain and simple. No amount of planning in the world is going to prepare you for everything. My role as a freelance writer has definitely helped me learn that.

But, so has my son’s amazing progress with his cochlear implants, speech, and education.

So has my dad’s scary stint in the hospital after passing out at my son’s football game.

And, so has my daughter’s ability to pick up just about any instrument and be an immediate expert.

There are so many things that happen that you never plan for, good and bad. The past six months or so, I’ve come to realize that planning isn’t everything. It’s good to stay organized, make deadlines, and plan things as much as you can. But, life will always have its own plan, too.

Here’s What I’m Doing Instead

Making resolutions isn’t necessarily a bad idea. It’s just not something I’m doing this year.

Instead, I want to live in the moment more. I think that’s been a big missing piece of my puzzle for a long time. I worry about the past, present and future all the time. It shouldn’t be that way.

Instead, I want to take a ride on this beautiful roller coaster of life and see where it takes me. I don’t want to be bound by resolutions I made 11 months ago. I’ll make room for change and growth as the year passes, depending on where I am at that particular time in my life.

And you know what? It’s really freeing. It’s the first day of the new year and I already feel like a weight is off my shoulders. I don’t have to stick to anything, but can instead just enjoy what life brings my way.

Happy New Year 2018!

Do you make New Year resolutions every year? Do you stick with them? Connect with me on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram and keep the conversation rolling!