Some years, like last year, I had a huge list of goals. However, this year, even though I want to keep going on knowing God better, improving my character, loving my family and church, as well as focus on painting and spiritual healing, while keeping this blog and my podcast rolling, I’m going to keep it simple and make two commitments to myself (with you as accountability) that are different than more of the same from me.
They can be typified by getting stronger, lightening my load, and being brave about facing what is uncomfortable. I’ll do it in these two ways:
I’m going to focus on more nutrition with less indulgence, and a new self-identification as athletic. I’m going to start being joyous about exercising and moving tons more. I’m going to stop sitting too much and start to enjoy embracing extreme fitness. Just do it! I want to be able to climb the Himalayas by the fall. A tall order.
My office/studio is in the attic in our home. Those that have been here know it is a really great space (3rd floor with 13 windows) but it has a huge heaping pile of boxes in the corner that have been there since 2008, when we closed out my parent’s home. These are not easy boxes to tackle. For example there are eight bankers boxes of my pre-digital typewritten poetry, and photographs of my family, as well as all sorts of other memorabilia deemed too good to be stored anywhere but in this dry space. Eek! I’m tired of looking at it, tired of avoiding it, tired of beating myself up that I haven’t dealt with it yet. Somehow I’m going to find it in myself to go through that pile and process it. I want to revel in bare carpet there.
To me, both of these things seem huge, even daunting. I’ve been unsuccessful in these areas in the past. I’m going to break through that this coming year, so help me God.
What are your goals or resolutions for 2026?
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5 Comments
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Ahhh. I love an ambitious New Year’s resolution. Even if we don’t complete it, it gets us moving. I have been on a year long quest to pare down and embrace less stuff and more experiences. It took all year for the former but I am finally starting to see some progress in doing humble small things daily or nearly daily. I also started a daily gratitude journal and haven’t missed a day since I began (the trick is to keep the journal right at my bed for morning and evening reflections.)
I’m going to keep up with the small adjustments, and adding to my list to build my art business this year.
Happy New Year, Polly! My best to you and James!-
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Sounds great! I bought a beautiful journal in Italy last March, and have written in it daily since returning with it, keeping it right next to my be like you mention. What a blessing!
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Those are both excellent goals, both very challenging. We also have lots of stuff to sort and purge, our own and my parents. It is not easy. I get stressed out about it a lot. We can do it!!!!
I am also bad at exercising. We just arrived at the 55+ resort in Gold Canyon, AZ for three months in our 5th wheel trailer. Our trailer is not as big as most of the RV’s here, but big enough. I brought my sock machine and some knitting projects. I like the small living. And there are free exercise classes that are a 5 minute walk to the community building, so no excuses not to attend! I can also walk and bike ride here in the nice weather, unlike in MN right now.
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Exercising in inclement weather is particularly the challenge for me. I’ve got to find delight in some indoor sport! Have fun in the sun!
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We have a stationary bike and a rowing machine at our house, and for awhile I was doing Yoga or another stretching class online. Somehow I got out of the routine. I will try to do better in 2026! You will figure it out!
