As 2021 becomes 2022
All this calendar turning and talk of resolutions has got me thinking. What do I want to accomplish this year? What CAN I accomplish this year?
Well to determine that, I am first taking stock of what I’m already committed. 2021 was one of my busiest years yet—at times, extremely stressful. But I’d be lying if I didn’t acknowledge that it was a great year for me, mainly because I was in graduate school pursuing my masters. Another victory was that I also began a position in my field with a small nonprofit. Oh, and let’s not forget, I am a mother which is a full-time job, so yeah, that too.
In other wins, but also things that took time and energy, 2021 was a year I really began to care for myself. I went to doctors to try to pin down some lingering health issues and pain. As a result, I finally had my right hip repaired from a tear in my labrum (cartilage in a joint) that happened in 2018. Wow. Three years I suffered along with that unresolved problem and pain. In September I had arthroscopic surgery to repair it and, although it’s not 100% healed, at least I am on the healing side of it—plus I know my hip won’t suddenly pop out of place! Definitely a win.
2021 was a year I got vaccinated against COVID-19. My husband followed suit after a go-round with the virus early in the year. My son, who is nearly seven years old, also got the vaccine. There is nothing better than the feeling of giving your body every advantage to fight a virus. Just ask me—I take numerous vitamin and mineral supplements every day.
Still, all of that said, there are some things that could be better.
I realized that if allowed to do so, I would sit in front of my computer and work myself until falling into bed. This is bad and the effects have been most noticeable in achiness and decreased mobility. I’m no spring chicken and the realization that I need to move throughout the day has finally registered in my narrowly focused brain. An overzealous work ethic is applauded by our society, but I don’t want my health to suffer as a result. Balancing activity with work is something I take on for 2022. That is why I will get a good walk at least once per day. So far I’ve been getting this in with no problem as our new puppy needs walks at least twice a day.
Similarly, when I am so focused on schoolwork and work for the nonprofit, my attention has not been turned to healthy eating habits. 2020 was the year I began to transition into becoming a vegan, and I am mostly there. (I occasionally have fish and am not diligent about baked goods or chocolates but am 95+% vegan.) I continued all of this in 2021 and began eliminating from my home animal products or products tested on animals like leather goods, cleaning chemicals and cosmetics. I ended 2021 by redeeming a coupon at Tommy Bahama, with which I bought a handbag made from tropical grasses versus a leather bag.
2022 is a year I will further my commitment to nonviolence everywhere in my life. And with industries doing what they can to keep the truth from consumers, this is a task that requires research and vigilance. (Thank you to all the vegan groups on social media who help me navigate my commitment and consumer choices.)
Even with all the positives, my diet, void of animal products, tends toward what some vegans call the “carbatarian” model. Yes, it’s true. I eat quite a bit of starchy and processed foods. But ya know, since I’m a college student once again, I can’t say my diet is any worse than undergrad! (LOL) I am grateful to Aloha protein bars for providing my breakfast every morning. So, with that in mind, I will add more vegetables.
What I commit to for 2022 is to include a green veggie at lunch and dinner. Not saying I will hit 100% on this, but I will make the effort to choose a veggie or greens. I know my body loves veggies and the green ones are the best. I commit to buying them at the grocery, ordering them at restaurants and cooking them at home. This is also a great way to model positive behavior for my son who lives on the standard American kid diet. It was a win to get him to eat carrots.
I am only committing to these two additional goals because of so many things already underway in my life. I will complete my master’s degree this year (graduating on my birthday, no less) and with any luck transition to a fulltime position. This year will be full of changes just in my own life, not to mention my son or husband. So why over-commit to generic resolutions? I have carefully selected two changes I am willing and ready to implement: veggies and walks.
I am not willing to use my precious mental energy to count calories or fret about what the scale says. If you read the latest research about weight and metabolism (New York Times, Dec 15, 2021), you’ll see that it’s all been a grand waste of your time and money. Small, sustainable changes are the key to massive changes. As the Japanese culture wisely prescribes—be 1% better each day. That is the mindset I need for making long-term sustained changes.
How do I know this? Look at the Earth. Look at a cliffside or a mountain. How do you think it got there? Not all in a month, not even a year. An inch a day, maybe even just a millimeter a day. Time passes anyway, so I’m making changes I can live with.
What are you committed to already and what are you taking on? Would it feel better to give up something? Let me know.
