I’ve never really been one to make New Year’s resolutions. Last year I attempted to dissect the difference between resolutions and goals, declaring they were different because I knew better than the rest of the entire universe. They really aren’t different, just semantics where I used the example of peanut butter cups which ended up with me eating two half pound peanut butter cups on my own (yes, they make them that large; fortunately, I have not seen one this year). I feel like when we resolve to accomplish something just because it’s a new year we set ourselves up for failure.

Plus, some of us (ahem) have a bad habit of arguing with people who tell us (ahem) what to do; feeling as if they can’t tell us what to do, so we dig our (ahem) heels in to show them that they truly can’t tell us (ahem) what to do. Yeah, I’m trying to say I’m one of those kinds of people. I even go against my own resolves; like I didn’t know what I was talking about last year anyway, so who am I to give myself advice?

The reality is, I don’t even remember what my goals were a year ago much less any of the resolutions I may have made to myself. I wouldn’t have said them out loud because I wouldn’t have wanted myself to overhear, in case I got stubborn and decided not to listen to myself. If you followed any of the above, I suggest you gamble and make New Year’s resolutions, because you’re obviously way more with it than I am.

This year I’ve decided to be a little better at things I’m already doing. At least I won’t forget them by this time next year (sure, let’s say that). I’m also just going to stick with the kind of resolutions most people make so it will be easier for me to keep track. Then if I forget I was going to do better at something I can just watch a PBS special, Dr. Oz, or Dr. Phil to remind me. Or when in conversation with someone who’s telling me about their New Year’s resolutions, I can say, “Yeah, me too.”

Seriously though, I really do think anything we want to accomplish at any given time is a matter of doing what we’re already doing just a little better. Losing weight? Keep losing it, maintain what you’ve lost, or get back on track after the food-frenzied, holiday season. Want to get better at finances? Keep your check book balanced, only spend what you have and stop using credit, or pay off your Christmas extravagances. Getting in shape? Run instead of walk, bike instead of drive, hike instead of playing the video games you got as a present last month.

As I’m writing this, I’m beginning to see a trend here: all these goals are related to our holiday and Christmas indulgences. So the biggest issue is that the Christmas season is what brings us down when all of our New Year’s resolutions are distant memories twelve months later. Maybe what really needs to happen is to start the New Year right before the major holidays so we go into the season resolving to stay on track instead of being a whole twelve months later and then we’re just tired. All we have now is wimpy Valentine’s Day test our resolve.

So Happy New Year and Merry Christmas! Start wrapping those presents.

Gretchen Leigh is a stay-at-home mom who lives in Covington. You can read more of her writing and her blog on her website livingwithgleigh.com or on Facebook at “Living with Gleigh,” or twitter @livewithgleigh. Her column is available every week at maplevalleyreporter.com under the Life section.