Go Easy on Yourself

5 minute read

Oh, boy! here we go again. First, everyone trots out their “BEST OF” lists. Tik Tok’s 10 best dance moves. The 50 best songs of 2021 courtesy of Rolling Stone. Even Barack Obama got into the scrum with his best movies.

Sorry. 2021 I am going to KICK YOU TO THE CURB. #exhausted. I have had enough of your downers. Don’t let the door hit ya on the way out. But wait. Now comes another kicker:

“So, what are your New Year’s resolutions?”

Aaargh! Admit it, we’ve all resolved to spend more time at the gym. Read more books. Practice yoga or meditate. My life is one long boulevard of broken resolutions, so inspired by a yoga teacher who asked that we set an intention at the beginning of class I traded New Year’s resolutions for Intentions.

Resolutions are firm. Determined. Decided. Intentions are something to aim for. An objective. A course of action. Intentions just seem, well, more user-friendly. And far less likely to cause a guilty conscience if I waver and wobble a bit as the months fly by. I consulted an old journal and, wow, my intentions were ridiculously squishy! No wonder I didn’t hit the bullseye. “I’m just a soul whose intentions are good . . . “ but how to get to that damn objective. I’m completely embarrassed by the following peek into my psyche:

- Don’t waste time! (The squishiest! What good is a strategy without tactics? Thanks, General Eisenhower.)

- Physical: don’t be lazy! (A lot of room for improvement here.)

- Nurture friendships. (Is Happy Hour nurturing?)

- Reduce the clutter. (#beforesparkjoy).

So here’s what I propose - no more Yearly Intentions. The world is changing too fast to commit for an entire year. Instead, let’s do Quarterly Intentions. Three intentions for three months. Because we can only keep so many balls in the air.

Then evaluate and update for the next quarter. A little like changing up your wardrobe seasonally. How are Q1 intentions shaping up? I am looking no further than Heyday. #inspiration. This is a choose your own adventure New Year Intentions. It’s all right here!

During this past year, recurring Heyday topics have been menopause, self-care, fashion, family care (parents and children), skincare, reading, music, tv, relationships, aging, finding joy and fun. What’s important to you for the first three months of 2022? What are you going to concentrate on?

Is your intention to manage the menopause effects that may be wreaking havoc on your life? Search this site for “menopause” and you’ll discover clear, respected research and tactics. So much good information to help you stay strong, healthy, and empowered. Is your intention to manage GUILT for not being the perfect mom or most productive employee or best friend or most attentive lover? Is social media piling on the stress with perfectly curated (#fake) lives? Head on over to Jennifer Stevens for reassurance that whatever hits the G-spot for stress reduction, be it Netflix, collapsing on the couch with a gin, or whatever else you like “IS self-care. I am relaxing in my own way.” (I love you, Jennifer Stevens!) Orla Neligan has excellent advice for “mom-guilt.” And look to Ellie Balfe on how to stop apologising.

Is your intention to simply have more joy and just plain fun? Are you tired of endless news updates on the Covid cases, new variants and possible lockdowns? You have come to the right place — Is TV your thing? Jennifer Stevens loves the Golden Girls and so do I. Women over 50 who are “fun, vital, and sexy.” Ellie Balfe has 20 ways to Bring back the Joy! including crumble and custard, solo dance parties, and hot wine season. Try a few—not glasses of wine—her suggestions.

I could go on and on. I haven’t touched on Marie Kelly and fashion or skincare, or music and books. But those can wait for Q2. I’m definitely thinking about intentions that aren’t squishy that involve more joy and more bubbles. For all four quarters, though — massive amounts of fun. (Tactics TBD!)

Three intentions. Three months. No pressure. We can do this!
What intentions are you thinking about?