by Roz Burak

As we passed from 2024 to 2025 I asked myself two questions: (1) What do I want to leave in 2024; and (2) What do I want create as my context for 2025?  Although you’d think these were two thought-provoking questions, the answers popped up immediately. 

I want to leave procrastination in 2024.  I wanted to stop saying “I’ll get to that later.”  Procrastination had become a way of life that had issues, tasks and concerns sit around forever with no actions taken.  My life was about not doing what needed to be done.  My excuses became more important than enjoying my life.  Maybe not everywhere, but in enough areas that I was looking at the same “to do’s” day after day after day.  It was not only tiring, it was boring and I was always wrong for not just doing it.  My life was about avoidance and justifications rather than accomplishments and celebrations.  I had enough of that I wasn’t going to bring it into 2025. 

With that settled now I could look at what was 2025 going to be about.  What was the future that would bring joy, satisfaction and adventure?  Immediately what popped up was NEW BEGINNINGS.  Rather than dragging the past into the present I was just going to create New Beginnings.  Now the question was “What do I want to do now?”.

The first thing I did was delete my “Projects” file from my computer.  Then I created a list of Projects for January that would make me happy.  Number One was start a knitting club.  I had been talking about doing this for at least 2 years.  In four days I contacted friends I thought would be interested, secured a venue at my local diner and had a date for our first meeting — February 16^th.  Hooray!!!!  By the end of January I had finished 3 of the 4 remaining projects and was completely joyful, satisfied and thoroughly enjoying the adventure of tackling New Beginnings.

I created new projects for February: finding an agility class for Prince and creating new posts.  This post is one of three I’ve proposed for this month.  I’ve also revised “Coaching For Life’s Transitions” on this site.  Check it out. You may be interested in coaching – who knows?

Waking up in the morning brings the question “What am I beginning today?”  It brings a smile to my face.  Every day begins as a grand adventure.  Where do I want to put the rug Annelise gave me?  Bathe Prince or just brush him?  Watch shows saved on my DVR and knit?  Really, I create my day every day!!!!

Getting back to procrastinating.  It hasn’t disappeared into 2024 completely.  However, when it does show up I look for what’s stopping me.  Sometimes I’m tired, sometimes I’m not sure how to proceed and sometimes I just need a cup of tea.  Whatever the reason, if I can’t get myself to continue or even get started, I look for something I can do, knowing I’ll get back to it. 

At the end of each day a friend and I take our dogs out.  Usually we want to know how the other’s day went.  What I’ve noticed is that while I don’t always remember what I did, I always have a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction.

What about you??? What have you created for 2025?   Please share it with all of us.  Upload your story in the Share Your Own “Joy of Aging” Story section of this site.  That way your story will be shared with everyone.  Remember to also upload a picture.  Share the JOY!!