Failure-Free Resolutions by Michele Christopher
Now that Christmas is finally over (although I'm writing this on Sunday so technically it's not over yet, but will be by the time you read this so it's like I'm writing in the future but in the past but.....someone go get Sarah Conner!)...uhh...where was I?
Oh yea. Christmas being over. Time for New Year's Day. Which means, of course, time for resolutions.
Now, most people I know make the same resolutions every year. Lose weight. Quit smoking. Lay off the booze. Have more patience.
I lost a good 50 lbs this year. I quit smoking in January of 2004. I really don't drink anymore. And I'll never overestimate myself so much that I would think I could have more patience. So the usual resolutions are a moot point with me.
I hate that word. Moot. It's stupid looking.
Anyhow. What I have been doing the past few years is making resolutions, but making sure that anything I resolve to for the year is within the realm of possibility.
On that note, I have compiled the Generic List of New Year's Resolutions Guaranteed to Not Make you Feel Like A Total Failure in 2007. The way I look at it is, if you lower your expectations of yourself, you'll never be disappointed!
I hereby resolve to:
Spend as many hours as I can in front of the computer playing mindless games
Watch as much television as possible
Ignore the surgeon general's warnings on any food or drink product
Have wild, spontaneous sex (this counts even if you do it with yourself)
Have a birthday
Read a bunch of comic books
Watch a bunch of movies I've already seen 50 times
Bitch about the weather
Consume my weight in dessert products
Make up at least two new curse words while driving
Nap on the weekends
Watch a lot of hockey
Give people advice but never follow it myself when applicable
Tell my children that they are driving me to drink
Finish all the video games I started but never got to the end of
There. I think those are resolutions I can live by. Try it. This year, resolve to do only things you know you can and will do. Forget about tossing the cigarettes or giving up the booze or finding a job. Why set yourself up for failure? By making easy to keep resolutions, you are really resolving to feel better about yourself in the long run, and who can't get behind that? Instead of feeling hopeless and dejected when you reach for that hidden bottle of vodka, instead of beating yourself up for being content to lay on the couch watching Oprah and collecting unemployment checks, instead of contemplating suicide because you failed the Bar again, just fuck it all. Don't even make those resolutions to begin with. Set the bar low and you'll never have to worry again about being a disappointment to yourself.
So open up a notebook, write those resolutions down and a few months from now, take a look at them and say "Holy shit, I really kept all of these!" and feel that self confidence rise. Then light another cigarette, down another shot of tequila and celebrate your self worth.
Happy New Year!
Michele has also resolved to be less sarcastic in the coming year
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My realistic resolutions:
Get to work by 10 am, make my bed once a month, take the dog for a walk once a month, change the batteries in the smoke detector and the vibrator once a month, bring in Entemans to share with my friendly editor/co-worker once a month.
Posted by: Bonnie | December 26, 2006 1:20 AM
Who the hell would resolve to lay off the booze?
Oh, and don't be less sarcastic. No one should ever be less sarcastic.
As for resolutions, haven't thought much about it yet. I should come up with a couple decent, fun ones, though.
Posted by: Joel | December 26, 2006 4:59 AM
I gave up the notion of New Years Resolutions years ago (note: I am purposely avoiding the lame joke that usually is associated with that line).
To me, people who wait until NYE to resolved to do (or not do) someTHING are merely looking for an excuse NOT to do/stop doing it.
I know people who have said in October My New Year's Resolution will be .... If it's so damn important, why wait over 2 months? And if it isn't so important, what's the point in declaring it?
And if they should succumb to their desire not to uphold their resolution (whether it is because of personal weakness or any other reason), say on Jan 15, do they wait 11 -1/2 months to try again??
If it is worth resolving to do, then do it now: whether today is Dec. 26th or May 10th. Using an artificial date as New Years is an excuse to fail.
Posted by: Charlie on the PA Turnpike | December 26, 2006 9:20 AM
i resolve to grow my hair out...
I am going to be a hippy starting january 1
petuli and me, forever meant to be...
peace, man
Posted by: turtle | December 26, 2006 9:43 AM
I resolve to live my life to the fullest and have as much fun as humanly possible.
Posted by: Timmer | December 26, 2006 10:11 AM
The only thing I'm resolving to do this year is not to make resolutions.
Crap, there goes that one right out the window.
Posted by: thefinn | December 26, 2006 12:14 PM
i resolve to get my shit in to the editors when i'm supposed to. Whenever that is...
Posted by: pril | December 26, 2006 12:50 PM
I agree you need to choose realistic resolutions. Thirty years ago I resolved to never make another New Year's resolution and I am still going strong.
If Michele gets less sarcastic there won't be any reason to read her posts
Posted by: Jim | December 27, 2006 11:27 AM
Michele less sarcastic?.....
I don't think so.
Posted by: Starhawk | December 29, 2006 5:51 PM