Birches Residents Resolve to Grow, Change, and Make the Best of a New Year

For older adults who have already accomplished much in their lives, New Year’s resolutions can act as an important reminder that there is still more life to be lived. Making resolutions is a good way for older adults to knock things off their “bucket list” or to simply embrace aging as an opportunity for continued physical, mental, and spiritual growth. Resolutions also prevent older adults from living in the past, which can lead to depression, and encourage them to maintain an optimistic outlook about the future. 

Although the most common New Year’s resolutions often relate to making healthy lifestyle changes like exercising more, losing weight, and quitting smoking, resolutions that encourage inner growth are also very important to the health and well-being of older adults. At The Birches Assisted Living in Clarendon Hills, resident Ann Schweinberg’s resolution relates to internal rather than external change. “I just want to be more tolerant of people,” said Schweinberg. “If we could all be a little more tolerant the world would be a better place.”

Many other residents at The Birches are making resolutions along the same lines as Schweinberg— resolutions that result in personal rather than physical growth. Darcy Kelleher, for example, has resolved to keep practicing patience and acceptance. “I’ve been working on it, but I’m not there yet,” said Kelleher.  “You’ve got to come to a middle point in your life where you accept things.”

Similarly, resident Marge Massey says she wants to give up an old and destructive habit—complaining. “I’m always complaining about everything and I don’t want to complain anymore,” said Massey. Florence Sobolewski’s resolution is more of an affirmation for herself and the entire world. Sobolewski would like to see everybody in the world move in a positive direction. “Then I think everything else will fall into place,” said Sobolewski.

Resident Marge Wolf would like to positively impact the world too—through daily acts of kindness. Wolf’s New Year’s resolution is to do a kind act for somebody daily. “You can always see somebody who can use help,” said Wolf. “Even a kind word helps.” Resident Vince Petrovski mirrors this sentiment through his resolution to say hello to everyone. Petrovski says that his resolution is inspired by his former neighbor Pat O’Donnell. “His philosophy was say hello to everybody, and if they don’t say hello back then you say ‘I used to know you when you said hello,’” Petrovski quips.

Personal and spiritual growth aside, there is something to be a said for a resolution that is classic, simple and very tangible. Resident Janet Peters has decided to stick with two very common and worthwhile resolutions: losing weight and organizing her desk. Regardless of what the resolution is, the act of making an intention to change for the better, whether it be physically, mentally, or spiritually, is beneficial for people of all ages and a great way to get the most out of life. 

Tips for Making Resolutions Stick

Truth be told, we've all made New Year’s resolutions that we haven’t kept. Recent statistics show that while about 45 percent of Americans make resolutions, only eight percent actually stick to them. Despite these discouraging statistics, there is some good news; research also suggests that people who make New Year’s resolutions are more likely to achieve their goals in life. According to the Journal of Clinical Psychology, people who intentionally set resolutions are ten times more likely to achieve their goals than people who don’t.

In order to successfully achieve those goals you set at the beginning of each year, it is important to follow a few simple steps.

·   Be realistic. Ambitious goals are great. But often the loftier the goal, the more difficult it is to achieve. There are many times when the need to have a groundbreaking and perfectly-executed resolution results in failure. This can discourage you from making future resolutions and prevent you from making those positive changes you so desire. Rather than aspiring to lose 50 pounds start with 10 pounds— you can always expand your goal as the year goes on and you find you've already successfully achieved your resolution!

·  Share your resolution. By sharing your resolution with others you are making a more formal commitment to accomplish what you set out to do. Sharing your resolution will also provide you with a network of supporters who can encourage you as you work toward your goal, and a group of people who you can share your successes with.

·  Celebrate your progress. As you work toward achieving your goal, be thankful for all of your successes, no matter how small. Recognize that every bit of progress you make is getting you closer to your end goal. If you make a mistake or slip up, acknowledge it, learn from it, and move on. Focus on your successes rather than failures!