Are you amongst the rest of the population, asking yourself just where did the year go? Since breaking the age barrier of 50, I’ve discovered days suddenly turn into months, then months into years in a blink of an eye. As a non-traditional, non-resolution maker, I decided to make a stand — and grasp those tiny hands of time to create something more of how I spend that time here on Planet Earth. How about these Life after 50 – New Year’s Resolutions You can Keep in 2018?
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Life After 50: 18 New Year’s Resolutions You Can Keep in 2018
Table of Contents
Gulp, Why Make New Year’s Resolutions?
As I write this, I’m already sweating. Because quite frankly I am not a keeper of New Year’s Resolutions. Oh, I give it a college effort, perhaps make a few realistic goals, but I don’t teeter on the edge and create goals that I actually would have to reach for… Gasp, not me. Which is why I don’t usually make New Year’s Resolutions.
And then there are those daunting statistics: According to U.S. News, approximately 80% of resolutions fail by the second week of February, so the odds are against you. Read these (COMING SOON!) Quick Tips for Successfully Keeping New Year’s Resolutions.
But you know what? I’m 55 – yikes, how did that happen? It’s time I broke my own mold. Break down my mental barriers and make 2018 THE year to do and be something more. If nothing, I’ve learned over the past half-century plus that once I put my mind to something, and really put all my eggs in that basket, I can do it. And that’s what I am doing — resolving that I will make resolutions I can keep. Here are my 18 New Year’s Resolutions you can keep in 2018.
1. Be Happy!
Life is busy, no matter where you are in life. I can speak for myself — these after 50 years, buzz on by like the speed of life. It can get a bit overwhelming, thinking and over-thinking what I should, or should not do. Instead, I am choosing 2018 as the year to “be happy.” Especially to be happy in the moment. While others may attempt to take my happiness away with negativity or nay-saying, I choose to be happy. Every day.
2. Be Kind.
This New Year’s resolutions is as simple as that. Be Kind. Period. Be kind to yourself. Your spouse. Your significant other. Your Children. Your Grandchildren. Your Parents. Your Sisters and Brothers. Your family. Your neighbors. Your friends. Be Kind to Strangers. Be Kind to Animals. Pay it forward when you can.
It doesn’t cost anything to be kind. So sprinkle that kindness everywhere — and add a dollop of non-judgment while you’re at it. Be kind.
3. Take One Day at a Time.
This is one of the most difficult things for me to do: Take One Day at a Time. It’s easy to get overwhelmed especially when… Life is busy. You want to accomplish so many things. There are only 24 hours in a day. 365 days in the year. Work obligations. Family obligations. Housework. Bills. Commitments. You want to explore the world. Spend time with your family. Yada, yada, yada. Life moves quickly, especially life after 50.
Let’s all make it a New Year’s resolution to slow down. Take one Day at a Time and enjoy those moments. (See #1 and # 2 above).
4. Say I Love You More Often.
We all need to hear it, so we should all say it. Say I love you more often. To everyone. Your husband. Your family. Your friends. But when you say it mean it.
5. Pick up the Phone More Often.
If you value a relationship, pick up the phone more often. Or better yet go visit that loved one in person. Sure you’re busy…but don’t substitute your voice and/or your presence with texting or “liking” their Facebook post. Call. Visit. ‘Nuff said
6. More Date Nights with Hubby.
This man. He’s my rock. I adore him and still passionately love this big ol’ teddy bear. We have a loud, big, fun-loving family. Equally loud, big fun-loving circle of friends. And his 83-year-old-mom lives with us (and don’t get me wrong, she IS amazing!). But sometimes we do get lost in the business of family, friends, work, life. This is the year of more just-me-and-you date nights with my hubby. That is all.
7. Spend Time with Family.
Never a day goes by that I don’t appreciate and love my family. We do spend a lot of time together as most of my immediate family (parents, daughters, step-daughters, sons-in-law and grandkids) live here in Colorado. But one daughter lives in Oregon with her family, and my parents live in Oklahoma. This is the year to connect and hopefully spend more in-person time with my family. (Or simply refer to #5: Pick up the phone more often.)
8. Spend Time with Friends.
What can I say? I’m lucky. I have friends all over the world, from my hometown girl who is my BFF from high school to my amazing circle of friends here in Denver. I need to spend more time with my friends, which is why it is 1 of my 18 New Year’s Resolutions that you can do.
9. Be Healthier — and Make a Plan.
I’ve been lucky most of my life in that I could eat, drink and do what I want and not gain weight. Let me tell you — menopause sucks. It sucks all that eat, drink and be merry right out of you.
Two years ago, I looked at myself and realized my body had changed, and so I had to adapt and be healthier. I made a plan to join weight watchers, exercise more, and drink a little less. — and lost 25 pounds. But this year has been tougher, so I’m back.
In 2018, my hubby and I are back on track with meal plans, exercise plans, and supporting each other to be healthier. We are back on Weight Watchers, and opening up the recipe book for healthier meal planning. (And now that I announced it to the world, I’m committed, right?)
10. Travel More. With and Without Family.
I love to travel. That’s who I am. I always put travel more on my list, because well, I love to travel with and without my family. All you have to do is follow along to see how much I love to travel solo or with my family. Absolutely family travel planning can be complicated, but even as a procrastinator with family spread all over the country, I’ve done it before, so I’ll make plans more travel opportunities in 2018.
11. Read More.
As an avid reader all my life, I enjoy getting lost in a good book. In 2018, I want to read more, so I will make a little more time to open up a book each month. And just get lost.
P.S. What are your must-read books for 2018 or read again classics? Share with me in the comments below!
12. Procrastinate Less.
Oh boy. This is part of my personality — wait until the last minute and race to the finish line..at the very last possible minute. But procrastinating is stressful. This is my constant struggle to procrastinate less. I need to have this on my New Year’s resolution list, and I will be successful, one day at a time.
I’m using time management tools I’ve learned from Ruth at Living Well Spending Less to attempt to nip the procrastination in the butt.
13. Work Toward Becoming Debt-Free.
Have I mentioned it’s been a tough couple years? See #14 below.
14. Save More. Spend Less.
Realty sinks in after 50 when we realize that retirement is almost literally around the corner. Now retirement, one one hand, is a great thing, but when you check your savings against the time before retirement, oh-oh. I have a financial plan in place to save more, spend less — and work toward becoming debt-free.
Cash Back Options
Because you do still have to shop, I recommend signing up for programs which offer cashback. I have two suggestions:
- Check out Ebates to get paid for shopping online, from Groupon to Home Depot to Amazon and more. As an affiliate of over 2,000 stores, Ebates gets a commission from the stores when you make a purchase, and instead of keeping it, Ebates shares it with you!
TIP: Download their browser extension, which automatically activates Cash Back when shopping online directly at store sites so you never miss out on earning Cash Back. Rebate checks are mailed (or sent via paypal) each quarter.
- Download Dosh Cash app and start getting cash back. Seriously. I’ve written multiple articles on why you should and how it works. Here are just 3 of those articles for your review:
15. De-Clutter and Re-Organize.
If this is not you, I kind of hate you in that-not-really-hate-just-jealous-way. I always have amazing and awe-inspiring plans to de-clutter and re-organize every year. Turn my chaos into order. It’s always on my mental New Year’s resolution list — and it’s always quite overwhelming. While I start off at a sprint by purging my closet and donating to a local charity like Goodwill, I pretty much fizzle out to a poof of smoke by the end of January. (Yeah, see why I’m jealous!?)
This year, I’m changing it up. I’ve lived in my home now nearly 20 years. I’ve been a single mom, divorced woman in her 40s, and then re-married to the love of my love. Not only do I have baggage (Shush now, as any woman at nearly any age has to admit), but my house has years of baggage, stuff, and dust. It’s time to get rid of shit.
Instead of making it overwhelming (ie, you’ve got one month, sister), I’m scheduling out my get-rid-of-shit throughout the year, 12 months of targeting certain areas of my house. This month, purge my closet; next month, one dresser drawer at a time. I can do this! Can you?
16. Volunteer.
No matter how tough times are for you, someone else has it worse. Since I first volunteered in Middle school back in Iowa as a candy-striper at a local newsletter, I’ve always been about volunteering. I’ve also instilled this in my family and my grandkids to volunteer. Give back. Period. Whether it’s your time or money or both, make this a year you do something for someone else. Trust me. It will make you feel amazing!
17. Acknowledge and Appreciate the Little Things. Every Day.
Hey, I’m with you sometimes life just sucks. In 2017, we experienced multiple life changes from deaths in the family to unexpected deaths amongst our friends to my 83 year-old-mother moving in with us. But through all this, life really is good. Remember to acknowledge and appreciate the little things every day. It will make 2018 the best year ever.
18. Daily Affirmations.
I’m a quote person. I love searching out affirmations, sayings, and quotes that make me feel good. In 2018, I resolve to find daily affirmations — something, whatever it is, to make me feel good about myself, my day, my family, God — and simply just being alive. I find many of my favorite quotes on Pinterest and while window shopping usually in those fun boutique stores.
What are your New Year’s Resolutions that you can keep in 2018 (and beyond)? Share with me in the comments below. I’d love to read them.
