Resolute.
Resolutions.
Stupid.
I think resolutions are stupid.
There. I said it.
It’s not that I think I’m perfect. Noooo.
It’s just that, you know how you get to a certain age and think…aw, fuck it…?
Well, yea. That’s where I am. I’m forty-eight on Monday. Yup. And it’s cool.
I didn’t write this post so y’all would tell me happy birthday (though feel free).
I can be a bitch (especially pre-coffee). I curse too much. I spend way too much time on the computer (at least it’s a Mac) and iPhone. I need to exercise more. Do more laundry. Remember to eat.
But here’s the deal: I love my life. Though my drama tween and Tasmanian devil boy drive me occasionally insane, they’re beautiful and we’re raising them with strong morals and values. They have good, loving hearts. I would never, ever change the fact that I brought them into this world. I’m honored to be their mother.
Except maybe when the six-year-old is screaming at the top of his lungs. Then I tell my husband, “That’s YOUR son, you know.” I gave him his eyelashes.
Contrary to popular belief, I’m not just the humor-writing, snarkalicious funny chick with her head stuck in Pradaland.
I’m not blind to the difficulties going on the world. We’ve certainly been affected financially. My guy owns his own business and has taken a hit. So I’m doing something about it! I’ve taken what I’ve learned these past three years in social media, blogging, and writing (plus my fifteen years in sales and marketing) and am now helping clients of my own (in addition to the free volunteer work I do as a cofounder of the Indie Book Collective).
There’s always something new around the corner in this crazy publishing business and I’m excited about what 2012 will bring in the eBook industry. I see more changes in social media and I’m already looking at new opportunities.
So, here’s how I look at resolutions….
I don’t. (I think I’ve made that clear). New Year’s is a day that leads to another month where the year changes and when you write checks you forget and get annoyed. Monday is another day. Carry on.
If you insist on making a huge deal out of it, feel free.
I’ll be drinking my coffee and working on my next book.
Keep moving forward.*
You can find me on Twitter, Facebook, and my two books A Walk In The Snark and The Mancode: Exposed on Amazon (no Kindle required — free apps for all smartphones, computers, tablets, and clouds). Any questions RE: my consulting, please email me at [email protected].
*Know who said this? Tell me below…
T1theinfamous says
January 1, 2012 at 7:12 amLuckily for me I make birthday resolutions every year and just go after those. Why wait until January to go for it when I can do it in December?
Timothyo Casey says
January 1, 2012 at 7:14 amWait until you hit your fifties the fifties rock!!!!
Mike Mike says
January 1, 2012 at 11:51 amHappy New Year to you Rachel. Really loved this post and you beat me to my own version. I think I'll still post my thoughts as well. Oh and an early Happy Birthday!! That is far more important than any resolution that sets one up for failure. Fuck resolutions indeed – and agreed!
Rachel Thompson says
January 1, 2012 at 6:00 pmSee, there ya go. Wait, did you say resolutions? Dude. #tsktsk Well, you're young. 🙂
Rachel Thompson says
January 1, 2012 at 6:01 pmThat's what I hear, Tim. Most people say that women only get more…um…well, ok never mind. :)))
T1theinfamous says
January 1, 2012 at 6:03 pmThey're more like goals that I'm trying to hit before I start getting old. Just going for them is a step in the right direction.
terri g says
January 1, 2012 at 6:03 pmHappy New Year and the Happiest of Birthdays to you, Rachel! As far as I can deduce, “keep moving forward” can be attributed to Rocky Balboa AND Walt Disney. Either/or, it's excellent New Year advice. Wishing you blessings and abundance! 😉
Rachel Thompson says
January 1, 2012 at 6:06 pmSame to you, Mikey. I still love having birthdays. My parents always made a big deal & I've carried that tradition on to my kids. Why not? If it's about a party, I'm there. Sometimes the timing sucks so close after the holidays but oh well. I just buy myself something pretty :).
Rachel Thompson says
January 1, 2012 at 6:12 pmHey Terri :)) you're right, it's Walt Disney. Good job. It was his motto for all his projects & used in the movie “Meet The Robinsons” which was semi-autobiographical in a cartoony way. While not a huge mouse fan myself (only because we live so close & I've been forced by my psycho husband to go for so many years), I like the concept.
It's as close to a meaningful quote as I get — besides “Oh my,” from BULL DURHAM 🙂 and a Goethe quote I mention in a few interviews and my book.
HNY sweets. Thx for visiting.
Ardee Eichelmann says
January 1, 2012 at 8:07 pmI agree with you regarding resolutions. Some swear by them but I think that they are impediments to personal growth because they are limiting. That's just me though. I don't see the need for resolutions when everyday is an opportunity to grow and change without any artificial constraints.
I hope you have a great birthday and enjoy yourself immensely.
Cheers,
Ardee-ann
Laura W. says
January 2, 2012 at 12:33 amThis is like a longer form of my facebook status today … just because we arbitrarily call a certain date 1/1 doesn't mean everything will magically change. Every day is a new year, in its own way.
Rachel Thompson says
January 2, 2012 at 3:20 amThx Ardee-ann. I don't judge others who think that BS works for them. #ohsnap xxoo
Ciara Ballintyne says
January 2, 2012 at 9:56 amYeah, resolutions are stupid! I don't make them. Never have. Not becaise I'm perfect, I'm not. But I like me and I don't want to change. If I decide I don't like something and I want to change it, then I'll change it when I decide I don't like it. I won't wait for New Year to do it. It's just another day in 365 – 0r 366 as the case may be! Nothing special.
***C*** says
January 2, 2012 at 6:35 pmAs always, I adore you and agree with you. Why wait until the end of a year to make a resolution? We should always be progressing forward with new goals and aspirations.