New Year’s Evolutions

It’s January, so it’s time for New Year’s evolutions. No, auto-correct didn’t get in my way. I didn’t mean resolutions. I meant evolutions. What’s the difference? I’m so glad you asked.

This is something I stumbled upon the last couple of days. It came when auto-correct did get in the middle of a text and a friend who was trying to say “laying low” sent “laying slow” instead. She sent a correction – as she faithfully does. But this is one of those cases where I liked the unintended message. The idea of laying “slow” brought to mind my recent motto – “settling down without holding still.” It made me wonder if I could not hold still, yet move slowly – being more intentional, deliberate, focused, and – most of all – more gentle with myself than usual. As I considered this, I noted that the momentum of evolution in my life was already heading that direction.

Then, I started looking for more evolutions, other things that were already growing, settling, or adapting. From these reflections, I identified three key differences between a resolution and an evolution.

1. A resolution implies a decision to make a sudden shift. An evolution recognizes shifts that are already happening and empowers them with intention.
2. A resolution is potentially disruptive to the flow of life (not always a bad thing, but often unhelpful). An evolution is an observation of how life flows, along with a plan to increase, maintain, or shift the flow.
3. A resolution is new and the measurement for success can be tricky – and often disappointing. An evolution has a recent history – data that can be collected and used to gauge its continued progress.

While resolutions may have their place, I’m going to focus more on evolutions in my life during this shift from 2024 to 2025. I’m not resolving to be more focused; I’m acknowledging the focus I’ve had and making adjustments as needed. I’m not resolving to eat better; I’m giving myself credit for where I am on that journey – where the momentum is taking me, for better or worse, and stepping it be more purposeful. I’m not resolving to be better with finances or friendships; I’m celebrating what is and shining a light on what could be better.

Granted, there may be times in our lives when a whole new direction is needed – when we need extra resolve to just dive in, do the hard work, and make something happen. The challenge comes when we use these artificial milestones – a new year, a birthday, an anniversary, etc. – as demarcation points that are supposed to make that process easier.

The whole context of our lives doesn’t turn around these moments. The merry-go-round doesn’t stop spinning, let us off to shift gears, then try and step back in with a truly clean slate. The momentum continues. The best we can do is lay slow, take a good inventory, embrace our evolutions, and love ourselves well as we press forward.