It’s not even a new year if you don’t participate in the resolution event. Who is going for work success? A relationship? Well, I bet there’s at least an 85% choice in weight loss resolutions. This might be the year to finally meet that resolution though if Ozempic, Weygovy, etal have anything to say about it. Much like the people partying on all of the big Pharma commercials, the fast talking background noise tells you all of the potential side effects their drugs have, but those people…those fun, happy, slim people? They can’t all be wrong…or can they? Total honesty here, I have always been an extreme hypochondriac so I ALWAYS listen to the background guy, and no, weight loss meds are not on my dance card for 2026.

I am truly in need of support on the weight loss side of my life. But my age has me like – hey, I’ve been starving my whole life, this could be my “last night on the Titanic” pass that dessert!

Cute right? But actually food has not just been a bad partner for my weight, but now with the addition of an auto immune disorder, food can make my life fill with pain. Too much bread? Ankle pain, maybe extending to my wrists. Piece of candy? That can cause gastrointestinal upset for hours. Did you know that there is dairy in just about everything? Now read on to see if there is rennet, carrageenan, or a host of other things that can wreak havoc on those with autoimmune disorders.

I miss pizza (both bread and dairy); cappuccinos (sorry, plant milks just don’t cut it) and don’t even get me started on birthday cake – even if it didn’t have gluten and dairy, it always has carrageenan.

So, what do we have left? Basically meat and veg. Not just any veg though – cruciferous is a no; and nightshades are forbidden (what the heck is a nightshade anyway?) When did eating become so complicated. Hence the reason 85% of weight loss resolutions fail.

I am retired so you’ll need to check elsewhere on work related resolutions.

And I am on year 43 of my marriage, and while not perfect, it is better than most so I have no desire to change my life in a relationship revolution kind of way.

I do however, want to be kinder to myself. I want to wake up and acknowledge that I am doing well for a nearly 70 something. I have a family that I am very proud of that includes two granddaughters. I have good friends – I do not see them often but that is the beauty of really good friends, when you see each other it’s like time warps. You’re 30 something again, reliving and retelling all the glimmers of our youth.

I don’t drink anymore. Not for any reason other than it is no longer enjoyable. I used to thrill at the idea of a new brand of gin for my martini (which is always dirty with 2 stuffed bleu cheese olives). Or making sure I had all the ingredients for a delicious Negroni, or maybe just sipping on one of my favorite wines (Ledson, Cakebread or Nickel & Nickel to name a few of my faves). It all sounds good, then one taste and meh…hand me a sparkling water.

When I say I want to be kinder to myself, I want to stop the “fix me” resolutions. Truly, we can all strive to be better – in every way, every moment. I want to feel that I great “as is” – and maybe that is the perfect word (words?) for it. As is, means many things, you can get great bargains if you know how to spot a worthy as-is home, or car or just about anything else. My as-is, that I am energetic, mostly content, funny and intelligent (even if I do say so myself). I have an odd sense of humor, but it seems mostly appreciated unless I go off the sci-fi deep end (it happens). I have a sincere and deep interest in people. I love hearing their stories, their insights and triple points if they are high IQ and I am in no way trying to be a snob here, I just love learning so if I am surrounded by smart people I can expect to get smarter by default.

Boring is the typical resolution talk…lose weight, become successful, blah blah blah. How about we begin by resolving to remind ourselves what is actually great about our lives? Me? I am a family person, and I have a great family. I like to travel and we travel once or twice each year. We have “enough” which is something we all tend to forget about sometimes. What is “enough”? It’s truly the “sweet spot” of being. Only I can determine what that is in my life. I have quite a bit less than some of my friends, yet quite a bit more than others. My bills are paid, my belly is full, and as mentioned above we travel once or twice a year. I was never a fashion plate or anywhere near a diva, I get my hair cut every other month and have grown out my gray so no more coloring expenses. If I had more than “enough” I would find a way to spend it so I think having “enough” is plenty.

I want to be kinder to others in 2026. I will save this for another post, but the way I grew up has a lot to do with the fact that I have a kind of external bravado that says without words, “keep back at least 10 feet” also, if you are spouting off something that I know to be wrong I will tell you (not always a bad thing, but context plays a lot here) and while I cannot be certain I probably say it with a face that only a mother could love.

Above all, I want to be grateful for all that I have (and it is plenty); and I want to acknowledge the part that God has played in those reasons for gratitude. God has sat by me, walked with me and saw my tears flow without end. He has listened to me rant, yell, beg, and wish for things that I knew to be wrong for me, so He guided me gently to understand the error of my ways. My longest partner, always there waiting. Always saving me. I have been aware of Him since I was a very young child. A difficult childhood can sometimes be a blessing. This peace that I routinely go to is truly a gift, so I must be truly grateful.

So there’s my trifecta of a resolution, Kinder to myself, kinder to others and to grow in faith and gratitude for all that I have received.

Happy New. Year!