2024 — Another Year of No Resolutions: A Take the Back Roads Reflection

2024 — Another Year of No Resolutions

by a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads – Art & Other Odd Adventures 

Dear Henry,

Happy New Year! I hope your Christmas was merry and full of little joys. Santa was good to me, and clever, too.

You know how much I love miniatures? Since our forever home is a cozy cottage in the woods (with very limited shelf space), Fish and the boys came up with the perfect solution. This year, I unwrapped two “tiny treehouse” kits for my houseplants and a little book nook for one of my shelves. I can hardly wait to start building them.

Another thoughtful gift was a Reading Challenge that comes with tiny prizes for each goal completed. I got a head start by reading Jean-Dominique Bauby’s extraordinary memoir, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, and earned my first reward—a refrigerator magnet proudly displayed.

“Rest and be thankful.”

— William Wordsworth

I also received a lovely photo collage of Salem, Virginia, created by local photographer Phillip Barrette Jr. I missed his last show, but I’ll be sure not to miss the next.

And after weeks of rain, our creek has finally swollen into something photographically spectacular; a few new prints are already making their way into the shop.

As for resolutions... this year, I’m skipping them entirely.

Every January, I used to promise myself the usual: wake up early, exercise, meditate, lose twenty pounds, fold laundry before it wrinkles. And every year, by February, the list felt less like inspiration and more like an obligation.

So this year, I’ve decided to simply live. I’ll eat chocolate when I want to. I’ll sleep in on rainy mornings. I’ll focus on my Bucket List Book Adventure instead — reading, gardening, training for the Camino — things that fill my life with purpose rather than pressure.

“Let reality be reality.”

— Lao Tzu

Letting go of “self-improvement” has been unexpectedly peaceful. Last year, I resolved to stop begging the universe for outcomes and instead to trust the path I’m on. This feels like a continuation of that promise,  not to strive so much as to be.

It’s a funny thing to call it a “no-resolution” year when, in truth, the resolution is already in motion.

Here’s to a year of peace, gratitude, and quiet joy.

xoxo,

a.d. elliott

🎥 Watch on YouTube: 2024 — Another Year of No Resolutions

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a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia. 

In addition to her travel writings at www.takethebackroads.com, you can also read her book reviews at www.riteoffancy.com and US military biographies at www.everydaypatriot.com

Her online photography gallery can be found at shop.takethebackroads.com

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