“I made no resolutions for the New Year. The habit of making plans, of criticizing, sanctioning and molding my life, is too much of a daily event for me. ” – Anaïs Nin.

New Year’s certainly shouldn’t be about criticizing oneself, but it does happen to be a good time for reflection on what’s important. That’s what New Year’s resolutions should be: reminders about how to live well and embrace life.

On a New Year’s day afternoon snowshoe I was thinking about this. About all the things that we tell ourselves we are going to do, and the subconscious guilt that sets in when we don’t check it off the to do list. A new year isn’t about setting ourselves up for failure, it’s about celebrating what we have, and recommitting to doing the things that make us feel best. Which is why this year, it’s about life reminders instead of resolutions.

1. Get outside more.

2. Live in the present.

3. Celebrate the unknown.

4. Be kind.

5. Breathe.

6. Surround yourself with good people.

7. Take time to be creative.

8. Always invest in your own endeavors… even if the pay off isn’t immediate.

9. Be thankful.

10. Find balance.