What You're Not Gonna Do Is...Make Another Round of Resolutions You Can't Keep in 2022

We know: You’ve been feeling stuck, and have big plans to finally get out of your rut in 2022. (Trust, we empathize—deeply.) But whether you intend to “get-tight-and-get-right,” finally write that novel, hit those #travelgoals, meet the love of your life, score that dream job or start that business, big goals start with small changes—and progress predictably moves at its own pace. To borrow a bit of 12-step lingo, take it one day at a time—and maybe one new step a month, rather than an ambitious instant overhaul. While that may sometimes mean two steps forward, one step back (or vice versa), the point is to keep moving.

Now here’s a New Year’s tradition we can get behind—literally and figuratively. Not only does deep cleaning your physical environment feel like a fresh start to the new year, but tending to your fiscal, mental and emotional houses can feel like a refresh, too. Stop procrastinating and set up those payment plans, clean up that inbox, purge those closets and junk drawers, and schedule those doctors’ appointments—including therapy, if you’ve been considering it. An organized life won’t happen overnight (see our previous slide), but things will definitely look better in the morning.

If you weren’t already aware, “self-care” is more than the occasional mani-pedi or mental health day. Emotional equilibrium takes intention, whether that means starting a meditation practice, logging more hours offline than on, finding a creative outlet, walking away from habits and relationships that no longer serve you, or simply taking a full minute to process information before responding. You’ve already been told you should adjust your own oxygen mask before assisting others, so find out what makes you breathe easier—then, do that.

Listen, there’s a reason 2021 was the year of the “Great Resignation.” With lives literally on the line, it’s no wonder folks reassessed livelihoods rife with overwork, underpay, and little to no work/life balance. But while resigning isn’t always an option, redefining your boundaries is—at work and elsewhere in your life. It might require a few uncomfortable conversations, but go in armed with the knowledge that you aren’t obligated to be anyone’s sidekick, backup plan, punching bag, moral compass, counselor, chauffeur, unpaid assistant, emotional laborer or expert on race relations. If you’ve felt like any of the above, you should feel free to resign from that role this year.

Yes, we realize it may seem antithetical to our current state of affairs to encourage a step back from the safe distance of the socials, but Black life can’t thrive on Black Twitter alone, friends. While social media can be a bevy of information, entertainment and engagement, let the reign of Trump be a cogent reminder that it can also be a hotbed of misinformation, toxicity, and pile-ons (and not just for QAnon and MAGA enthusiasts). “Cancel culture” might not actually exist, but it’s okay to cancel your standing appointments with the apps in favor of real conversations. (Smartphones still have other functions, right?) At the very least, consider muting those notifications every once in awhile.

Admittedly, this is a hard one, since pettiness is a national pastime for Black folks. But contrary to popular belief, holding onto a grudge does more damage to you than anyone else, so how about embracing a little more grace this year? To be clear: that doesn’t mean “forgive and forget.” It means forgiving (and fixing) what you can and getting whatever you can’t get over the hell out of your life, so you can move on—because living well remains the best revenge. Pettiness may feel powerful in the moment, but holding onto it means giving away even more power. So ask yourself: Are they really worth it?

Can we be honest? We think comfort gets a bad rap, especially when it comes to you relentless “goal-getters.” (Looking at you, LLC Twitter.) Conventional wisdom may advise “getting out of your comfort zone,” but two years working from home has taught many of us that comfort (along with a consistent sleep schedule) is key to maintaining mental health—as well as setting those aforementioned boundaries. What’s more: cultivating a comfortable environment creates the space to reach those aforementioned goals. (See what we did there?) So if you prioritized carving out a functional workspace during the pandemic, this year, make sure your off-work space still functions as a sanctuary where you can relax, relate and release... And if all else fails, we hear a few plants and a weighted blanket work wonders.

Yo, it’s been a hellish couple of years, but if you’re reading this, you’ve made it this far—which in our book, makes you a bona fide G. If you’re not feeling your best these days, we relate, but remember: no external validation of your value is required. Update your resume, adopt a mantra, remind yourself why you’re dope via post-it notes (Being Mary Jane-style), or just put on your mediocre-white-man cosplay, but if you don’t hit another goal in 2022, make it the year you recognize your own worth—and watch who follows suit. Happy New Year!