The time for the flipping of the calendar is almost upon us, and residents at The Gardens at Barry Road may be starting to contemplate the new year.
If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed by the thought of a whole new decade, don't worry. Due to a technicality of the calendar, the new decade doesn't actually start until 2021. It works like this because there was no year 0. The first year on this side of the BC/AD divide was 1 AD. That makes 1 through 10 AD the first decade, and the second decade started with 11 AD.
Now that you know you have another year to shine the light in this decade, consider making some fun resolutions for 2020. Here are a few ideas seniors might contemplate to make next year a great one.
Traditional resolutions are typically about saying yes. We commit to saying yes to new things, to health and wellness, to financial stability or to relationships. And all those are admirable goals.
But saying yes to everything is one reason new year resolutions start to falter come February. If you're not careful about what you say yes to, you end up over-committed and tired — or committed to the wrong things with no time left over for the things that really make your soul sing.
Make it a point to use the intentional no more in 2020. This doesn't mean fostering a negative habit of saying no to everything. It means truly considering each opportunity or commitment and how it fits into your schedule, health, personal goals and lifestyle. Then, make an intentional effort to say no to things that truly don't fit.
One great thing about living in an assisted living community is that you can easily say no to many things that used to be necessary obligations, such as cooking, cleaning and lawn care.
Whether you're a life-long avid reader or just trying to cultivate the habit, set a goal for the number of books you want to read this year. If you're a slow reader, consider making it 12. You can read one a month. Voracious readers might opt for 52 (one a week) or more.
And if you don't want the pressure of keeping track of the number of books you've read, make a different reading goal. You might resolve to try one or two new genres this year, for example, or simply spend 15 minutes reading each day.
Seniors who want to increase their mobility might make a goal to exercise more by walking a million steps this year. It sounds like a lot, but that's less than 3,000 steps a day. The average person's gait translates to 2,000 steps for every mile, so walking a mile and a half a day may get you to your goal. Before you strap on the pedometer and start tracking your steps, though, consult with a physician to ensure this exercise is appropriate for you if you're new to it.
