This year, I want to try something different, though. After the spectacularly depressing debacle that was 2016, I don't want to sit idly by and say that I am not going to do anything. However, I don't want to make the same mistake I've made in the past and make a list of New Year "To-Do's" which will end up falling by the wayside by President's Day. Instead, I am making a list of things I won't do in 2017. I'm calling these my New Year's Revolutions, because the things I don't want to do are a radical departure from the norm, at least for me. Will I succeed? Will I fail? I don't know. Still, I'm hoping that taking a different approach and saying that I'm not going to do some things will help me succeed in revolutionizing my life in 2017.
So, what are my 2017 New Year's Revolutions? In no particular order, they are as follows:
- I will not purchase anything new that can reasonably be purchased used. This includes clothes (except underwear, socks, and shoes), books, electronics, outdoor gear, etc.
- I will not buy coffee or eat out for lunch during the work week, with rare exceptions (office birthday celebrations, etc.). Instead, I will take my coffee (or drink office coffee) and my lunch with me from home.
- I will not take my loved ones and friends for granted.
- I will not turn on the television automatically after work.
- I will not remain silent as our President-Elect and his cronies say and do things that harm those I care about.
- I will not sit on the sidelines in my community.
- I will not put off doing the things I can do to build a more sustainable life for me and my family.
- I will not let fear keep me from acting when necessary.
I hope you will join me in making 2017 a year of revolutions, personal and otherwise. Happy New Year.
gp
