Many older adults choose the new year to think about the upcoming 12 months and plan out what they want to accomplish and what they want to check off the bucket list. Whether you’ve been too busy to plan out the year ahead or you simply want to cross-reference your resolutions with another source, we’ve got you covered. 

We scoured the web in search of our favorite resolutions. Plus, we’ve added a few oddities we stumbled across for good measure. So, before the ball drops on 2018, let’s get to it. Here are 12 senior-focused New Year’s resolutions.

To strengthen your soul

1. Seek out new volunteerings options. Many people achieve the most satisfaction in their golden years by giving back and sharing some of the things they’ve garnered along the way. There are so many options when it comes to voluteering. If you enjoyed a distinguished career, you may want to consider mentoring some aspiring members of the younger generation. Or, if you’ve been fortunate, consider donating time to a local cause.

2. Spend more time with the grandkids. Doesn’t matter how, just do it. No one ever regrets spending too much time with their grandkids.

3. Reconnect with an old friend … or flame. Thanks to Facebook, reconnecting with people from your past is easier than ever. Whether it’s Lynne, the firecracker you used to play cards with on Tuesdays before the kid’s schedules got to hectic, or Warren, the old mailman with the hypnotizing blue eyes you wished you’d asked out when you lived at your old house, make 2019 the year to make a new old connection.

To maintain the mind and body

4. Make sleep a priority. There’s this common misconception that older folks need let’s sleep. That’s simply not the case. While Z’s may be harder to come by in your 60, 70s, 80s and beyond, there’s just as critical to your overall health. Whatever is keeping you from getting proper shut-eye, make it a priority to fix it this year.

5. Meditate more often. From reducing depression to improving memory to possibly warding off the progression of dementia, there’s tons of new research on the myriad of health benefits of this simple-to-learn, nearly-impossible-to-master practice.

6. Exercise for 10 minutes every day. I have a buddy in his late 70s who we’ll call Sprocket (spoiler: not his real name). Well, last year, Sprocket says, “Buddy, I’m going on the Tom Brady diet, and I’m sticking with it for the rest of my life. Lo and behold, Sprocket could only maintain the future hall-of-famers regimen for a few weeks before he was back to his old eating habits (Long John Silver’s every Tues. and Thurs. like clockwork). My point is, don’t set unrealistic exercise expectations. At this point in your life, you owe yourself some honesty. Committing to just 10 minutes of exercise is something virtually anybody can do. Plus, it has some serious health benefits.

For the soul

7. Rekindle your passion. Remember when you lived and breathed poetry? That person is still in you somewhere. Pick up the pen and let thy words flow like frozen yogurt from that way-too-fast self-serve frozen yogurt machine (I never was a poet myself). Of course, this logic applies to anything you may have been passionate about years ago but put aside for whatever reason. Or maybe your passion is something you always wanted to do, but never got (or took) the chance to do — something like stand-up comedy. Chuck Esterly, a man who tried comedy for the first time at 89 years young (and crushed it!) can serve as your inspiration. You can watch his video right here.

8. Commit yourself to watching as many sunrises and/or sunsets as you possible can. Trust me on this one, it’s a worthwhile resolution even if it wreaks havoc on your schedule.

The just plain strange

From this article:

9. “… randomly sew one sequin onto every piece of clothing I own.”

10. ” … to be able to finish a burrito from Chipotle.”

11. ” … find someone to kiss besides my dog.”

From my personal life (and probably applicable only to me):

12. Find a way to get a face-to-face moment with Jane Fonda, apologize for the “Cheesecake Factory incident of 1996.” Explain that, had you not had a few too many glasses of wine, you would’ve left long before the manager asked you to leave. (Note: If Jane seems charmed by you, ask if she ever read your script.)
(Note 2: If any readers want the full story here, feel free to leave a note in the comments section!)

Happy New Year and thanks so much for reading!