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Kurt Johnson
Let the countdown begin.
New Year’s is a time for counting, tradition holds. Not just on New Year’s Eve, when us old(er) folks try to make it all the way to 10, 9, 8 at midnight, but throughout the week as we document Top 10 lists of all sorts. ANR’s Top 10 stories of the year is a fun project for our staff, and as always it reminds us that we live in an active, vibrant community.
I’m not much on making resolutions, but I do enjoy the annual review of where we’ve just been and thinking about my plans and priorities for the year ahead. So what’s on my to-do list for 2023? Purposefully spending more time and attention with the people that matter in my life, for starters; playing more golf, preferably with anyone on the above list who, like me, enjoys chasing that little white ball around; reading more books; and learning something new.
I have one major milestone moment on the calendar, which will no doubt be a highlight for 2023. I’ve heard many fathers say walking your daughter down the aisle is about as good as it gets and I look forward to that day in July.
As for what others resolve and plan for the new year, surveys show there are some common trends. One major study showed that we Americans tend to make a wide variety of resolutions each year, some of which we stick to, and a majority of which, estimated at more than 95 percent, we don’t.
According to a Statista study of 1,500 Americans, the top three resolutions for 2021 were exercising more (50 percent of respondents), losing weight (48 percent), and saving more money (44 percent). Other popular resolutions included: improving diet, 39 percent; pursuing a career ambition, 21 percent; spending more time with family, 18 percent; taking up a new hobby, 14 percent; spending less time on social media, 13 percent; volunteering more or doing charity work, 10 percent.
As for looking back, what’s on your list of memorable moments for 2022 and were there enough of them? That’s a question I typically ask myself this time of year, and if the answer is no then how might I resolve to change in the year ahead?
It’s a time for pause and perspective, to be sure.
KURT JOHNSON can be reached at kjohnson@ hamilton.net
