Not everyone agrees that New Year’s resolutions are a good idea.
Many psychologists believe that, since most people fall short of success with their pledges, they experience a sense of failure and loss of self-esteem. Becoming a new person with the turn of a calendar page is easier said than done.
Parade says otherwise. The digital magazine, which produced its final print version in November, offers 55 ideas for a better, happier 2023 — and says these resolutions are within reach of ordinary people.
Its top choices include working out to feel better, not thinner. Other suggestions are to stop gossiping, give one compliment a day, go one full day without checking emails, read one book a month, clear out clutter, and turn off the phone one night a week.
Some of these are more practical than others. Many people can look less frequently at emails than they do, but not everyone can afford to shut down for a full day.
Besides, Number 47 on the Parade list is “stay on top of your inbox.” Seems like a bit of contradiction there, yes?
And not every parent feels comfortable, becoming totally unavailable by phone for even short periods.
Number 17 is “stop multitasking.” It’s a comforting thought, but how about replacing the word “stop” with “reduce when possible?”
Many of Parade’s recommendations speak to our modern culture. Number 26 is “be kind on social media,” which carries the implicit truth that not everyone is.
At Number 31 is, “Travel somewhere without posting it on social media.” That’s pretty wise for many reasons.
From “start cooking,” to “buy less plastic,” Parade covers a lot of ground. But an individual’s best resolutions, if one is to make any at all, must be personal to their own needs and lifestyles.
Many psychologists say a resolution should seek modest improvement, not an absolute reversal of habit. “Drink less caffeine” has a better chance of success than “stop drinking coffee,” for instance.
Resolutions are goals, not referendums on our lives. Some have greater impact than others.
Take Parade’s suggestion No. 51, for example: “Go to bed happy each night.” Anyone who can do that is probably on the right track, don’t you think?
— Tribune News Service
