New Year’s resolutions are great fun to make. They combine lots of things I like: lists, happy thoughts and the warm fuzzy idea that I am going to turn into a better version of myself. Actually doing the things – well, that’s quite different. It’s very easy to resolve to write a bestseller, run the Sydney to Hobart (yes, that was supposed to be a joke, but I felt compelled to explain it as such in case people genuinely thought I didn’t know. That’s JUST HOW SPORTY I AM), win a series of monster truck rallies and learn to sing jazz. It’s the doing that’s the issue. And, of course, when I inevitably realise in mid-February that I have not yet achieved complete mastery of each and every niche pursuit in the entirety of human endeavor (ooops! Giggle!) – it does tend to make me a bit glum.
Hmm. I don’t have a large book to write them in. I should probably get a large book to write them in.
With that in mind, I am lowering my expectations. My resolutions for 2014 will be more like – well, guidelines. Polite suggestions from my current self to the Amy of the future. You know, if I’m not too busy.
1. Do things I like.
There are things that are absolutely guaranteed to make me happy. I love to perform. I love to write. I love to tell jokes and wear wigs and wave my hands around and debate the significance of women in comedy. Sometimes I don’t do these things, and I’m not sure why. Maybe it seems too obvious – well, of course I like doing that sort of thing, I always have. Couldn’t possibly be my calling. That wouldn’t be complicated at all. Less of that, please, future me, and more limb flailing. You like limb flailing.
2. Find more things to like.
There are lots of things out there that I might like. I should go and have a look. I sometimes find myself assuming things about what I might or might not be interested in, and the type of person I am. Sometimes I’m right, but a lot of the time I’m not. There might be a completely new hobby out there. After all, I didn’t know about impro once, and that turned out pretty well.
3. Be nice.
I will never give up the power of snark. I would, however, like to wield it a bit more deliberately. Sometimes I am nastier than I mean to be, to myself and to others.
Three. That’s not too many. I’ll see how I go. Happy New Year, everyone.
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