An editor’s resolutions for a new year

While 2021 wasn’t a spectacular year by any means, it sure was a victorious improvement on the year prior. The pandemic seemed to slow a little, the societal backlash fizzled and the political unrest wasn’t nearly as vugular. I call that progress, which hopefully carries over into the new year. 

Though it may seem a little cliche, there’s never a bad time to seek out change. Obviously, we want the good, but sometimes, bad things unravel no matter how hard we try and prevent them. What a way to introduce a column, huh?  I’m sitting here today attempting to formulate a list of reasonable resolutions, complete with a few fully-thought out ideas and a handful of half-baked others. It’s not perfect, nor is it very eloquent. I think I found the sweet spot in the middle. Excuse the beautiful mess that my list became.

Grab your favorite beverage, your reading glasses (I’m only 32 and I even need spectacles to help me read) and enjoy as we head into the new year. Here are my resolutions for the year 2022: 

Open up 

This may come as quite the surprise to my fellow readers (you are free to audibly gasp), but I’m not necessarily the best at expressing my emotions. Yes, it’s easy to do so behind the comfort of a keyboard and the relative anonymity of a computer screen, that’s not a problem. The concern comes from my lack of execution via physical, one-on-one interactions with the ones I love most. I need to sharpen the human component of my emotions, generating more successful ways to express my gratitude. I must tweak my well-below par tendency to withhold my feelings of anxiety, sadness or pleasure. Creating a window to appreciate what I have and who is there to support me is a necessity. We mustn’t live in the past, nor should I always look toward the future. Learning to live within the moment, and using that to my benefit is the goal. It’s OK to be sad, angry or hurt, as long as I don’t channel it for something negative. I must transform those emotions into good, an act that can better myself and everyone around me. This doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll shed more tears, but I’ll at least try to be a little less macho. Here’s to getting in touch with my emotions. 

Listen

This bullet point is essentially the exact opposite of my desire to open up, but still just as vital. While I do need to find better ways to express myself, I also must improve upon my ability to critically listen. This is a little different than simply acting as if I’m listening. A more concentrated effort to truly take in everything which is being said would be beneficial for everyone. Waiting for my moment to speak isn’t helping, instead using the moment to really process what someone else is trying to get across is a good start. Prior to responding, I must collect my thoughts and then say something. No one needs to hear my voice as much as some do, so why not practice hearing others? 

On the same note, I want to discover more music, whether it was made in 1960 or 2022. My listening doesn’t need to be confined to conversation, I want to experience art in its most enjoyable form. I’ve taken a strong liking to Janis Joplin and The Black Pumas in the past year, two artists separated by nearly six decades, and I hope to uncover more. 

But above all, I want to know what provides joy for others? We can all afford to listen a bit more. We’d be in a better place for it. 

Volunteer more

I’ve never been great at volunteering, and now more than ever do I realize that needs to change. No longer should I only think about what I find entertaining for myself or what benefits me. I must help others. I’ve dabbled in volunteer work a bit more in recent years, but it certainly can improve drastically. I want to share in a collective goal, providing a service for those in need. 

Read more books

Naturally, as a writer and an editor, reading should be at the top of any resolutions list. I firmly believe there remains an incredible amount of value in books. Not just in novels, either. I’m speaking of historical fiction, memoirs, and other think pieces. Words are beautiful and captivating. They encourage imagination, they push you to think critically. Books can transport us into entirely different worlds or they can help us reflect. For me, books often create a refreshing peace of mind, though they also allow me to continue learning, even as an adult. That’s the strange thing I’ve picked up from my recent barrage of reading – we never stop learning, nor should we. I thought when I graduated college I was done picking up new skills and ideas. Boy, was I ever wrong. I’m more well-read and cultured today than I ever have been during my previous years on this earth. I contribute that mostly to reading, but also my ability to analyze and think. All these characteristics go hand-in-hand with reading. Books unleash me from distractions, from the never-ending onslaught of idiotic social media posts the outside world provides. It’s an odd revelation, really. As the world leaps closer to constant digital consumption (and don’t get me wrong, these technological advancements are spectacular and enjoyable), I’ve gravitated toward physical copies I can hold and view in my hands. It’s beautiful and freeing. 

Travel the world

Earth will forever remain a beautiful and exciting place. There’s so much of it I’ve yet to personally experience, which saddens me to the core. From the massive sequoia trees in the Pacific Northwest to the glorious mountain ranges of Canada, I need these intoxicating landscapes in my life. I strive to hike among the creeks and waterfalls that baffled our ancestors, or descend down a mountain range by bike. The beauty is endless, and there’s no greater time to tap in. I also want to visit the tremendous human-made structures as well. I soon hope to generate a bucket list of college football games, anxiously awaiting a visit to Happy Valley or the Swamp. There’s nothing more electric than a rabid college campus on gameday. I crave the experience of football outside of the Midwest. 

Meet more people

Hopefully, exploring the country will allow me to meet new folks. 

Though, this point certainly is a tough one as we still battle through this seemingly never-ending COVID-19 pandemic. I’d still like to meet new and interesting characters, from all walks of life. I’ve become a firm believer in our purpose as humans, which is to share our talents, experiences and thoughts with others. I want to know what makes others tick, what their great accomplishments are, hear of all the places they’ve been and where they want to go. Clearly, as I am starting to notice throughout this column, I simply crave conversation and experience. It’s why we were born in the beginning. Oddly enough, this ties back to listening as well. Perhaps my resolutions are more closely connected than I originally anticipated. Humans working together are what make our lives enjoyable. 

Play even more disc golf

I fell in love with the sport in early 2020, and since then, Jefferson added an awesome new course at Daubendiek Park, a course is close to completion at Don Williams Park outside of Ogden while I’m helping usher in seven additional holes at the track in Boone. Disc golf is a beautiful sport, which has allowed me to explore nature while also generating new friendships. I likely played in the neighborhood of 100 rounds this year, here’s to cracking 200 in 2022. 

Create

Creativity is a muse for many. While I get to be creative on a regular basis through my chosen profession, I aspire for more. I want that outlet away from the job, something that inspires me when I’m off the clock, a task that evokes emotion and dedication. I’ve yet to nail it down, but I feel it creeping up. Whether I decide to write more on the side, dabble in music or physical artistry, I know there’s something out there waiting. It’s simply a matter of locating it, honing that new skill and making sure it provides the joy I’m searching for. 

Well, my list is something. Whether I even accomplish a third of my ideas is for us to find out. Here’s to a great 2022, things can only get better.