Last year, I did something I hadn’t done in years: I made New Year’s resolutions. Three of them, in fact. And I wrote them down in this very space, which was either an act of accountability or an act of self-sabotage, depending on how charitable you’re feeling.
Now here we are, a year later, and it’s time to check the scorecard. The annual performance review of… myself.
And here’s the twist: I actually achieved two of the three resolutions, and, in true “me” fashion, the one I didn’t accomplish was the one I was absolutely sure I would. You’d think after all these years I’d stop being surprised when the universe hands me a plot twist, but no. Apparently even my resolutions have a sense of humor.
Let’s break it down.
Resolution 1: Grow a plant
Shockingly, this one went pretty well. Not perfectly, let’s not get carried away, but well enough that I’m claiming victory.
It was actually two plants, and both of them, unbelievably, are not only still alive, but also bigger than when I got them. Now, granted, Rachel Dahl gave me both plants after reading my resolution last year, and it’s possible she gave me plants that are just Robert-proof. I don’t even know what kind they are, but both are still green and have all their leaves. That’s the longest I’ve ever been able to keep anything other than a cactus.
Resolution 2: Cook more
I cooked more. Technically.
What I meant by this was that I was going to take my turn in the kitchen more regularly, but family circumstances have led to me being home alone for most of the past year, which means I had no choice, since I can’t just go out to eat every night.
I also discovered that “I’ll cook tonight” is a very generous promise when you forget to defrost anything, which means that some of my cooking was of the heating-up-something-frozen variety, but it all counts to me.
Resolution 3: Go fishing
This was the one I was sure I’d nail. The gimme. The layup. The resolution equivalent of “just show up.”
And of course, it’s the one I didn’t do.
In fact, I never even bought the license. Life, deadlines, and the general chaos of running a newspaper had other plans. The closest I got to fishing was watching reels on Facebook.
So yes, the one resolution I was most confident about is the one that didn’t happen. Naturally.
This year’s resolutions?
I’m keeping it simple again.
First: I’m making it two-for-two with these plants. Last year it was a challenge to myself to prove I could. Now I actually like them.
Second: I’m taking more time off. Paradoxically, being alone at home this year meant I actually took less “me time.” I’m going to make it a point to get away from everything for at least a day or two a couple times a month. This one will be a challenge, but I’m pretty determined.
Third: Actually go fishing. For real this time. If I accomplish Goal No. 2, at least some of the time it means I’ll be fishing. I’m putting it in writing again, which means I’m either brave or foolish. Possibly both.
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