I Did It!

Jessica Hagy

The jig is up. In the waning light of 2012, and before I walk into the fog of New Year promise, I'm taking stock and admitting that: 

1. I'm not going to write every day.

2. I'm not going to lose 10 pounds.

3. I won't run daily, give up sugar, or grow nicer, kinder, and more patient.

As the new year nears I dread those well intentioned, high-octaned, and, ultimately, short-lived resolutions to live more! do more! be more! Can we just jump ahead to March when all those commitments are distant (and, admit it, painful) memories?

This year, instead of resolutions, I'm doing the I Did It list. This brilliant idea is the work of writer Lisa Romeo, who says: "It's my small act of defiance against all the emotionally upsetting lists we humans tend to mentally make as the year draws to a close: the one that ticks off the things we failed to do all year. . . As writers we tend to see our writing year as a finite lot of things not yet achieved instead of a valuable step along an infinitely curvy road. Give yourself a break. Please."

I like her style. I'm starting my Did It list now.

How about you? Did you take a class? teach a class? write a poem? start a novel? join a writing group? Write it down! You might be surprised and heartened by all you've accomplished.