New Year, Same as the Old Year
January 17, 2026
Poor New Year. It’s expected that the New Year enables people to basically have a fresh start – like all their ways and means from last year will somehow magically readjust to some higher level (or lower, depending on sugar content) that will make their lives seem one hundred percent better. People will attempt to solidify those expectations by making New Year’s Resolutions.
Do I have expectations for the New Year? Did I make any such Resolutions? Of course not; I’m into self-care these days. What I have are Intentions, which are somewhat more lightweight than Resolutions, which means that I’m less likely to suffer when (I mean if) I fail to meet my Intentions. If I “intend” to do something, the “expectation” corollary is that I might not actually do it – I didn’t “resolve” to get it done! So I’m letting myself off the hook early on. Let me shine a little light on the Intentions I have for the New Year:
Seriously, cut down on the sugar. All the cookies are gone; stop making more of them.
Stop trying to find chocolate at last year’s prices; it’s not going to happen.
Walk the Fur Baby, instead of spending the time looking for a little rescue dog to play with him.
For the love of God, do something about the Fur Baby’s barking; I know he’s only “talking”, but now I understand why people say their ears are ringing.
Get a handle on the rage-baking; see Intention re: cookies above.
Lean into the burgeoning love of celery; it’s cold, crisp, and very refreshing.
Accept that the 25-year old best-beloved car might require more substantial repairs than a reasonable person would undertake.
Don’t incur a car payment.
Try not to get stuck in Florida. Again.
I think that’s probably enough for now. As you can see, I have set lofty Intentions for myself, while at the same time making sure I have plenty of wiggle room.
