Resolutions. 2022. I’m feeling ambivalent about them.

But back to plastic consumption – I feel I did pretty. I switched to laundry detergent sheets (EarthBreeze). I buy dish soap in bars and have just about used up the mega-size dish soap liquid I purchased the year before last. I’m tentative about whether I can switch totally to the dish soap in a bar, but I’m willing to give it a shot.

I purchase eggs in cardboard cartons (sorry Eggland!). Given a choice between purchasing something in plastic or compostable cardboard or glass, I choose cardboard and glass. Condiments, Vinegar, coffee creamer all provide options. My Keurig pods are reusable. I use reusable grocery and produce bags. I still get regular grocery bags sometimes as they are perfect for cleaning the cat’s litter box, but I’m looking for options on that, too. Instead of plastic, I use beeswax food coverings in several convenient sizes.

In 2021 I did not purchase any paper towels, and currently still have about half a dozen rolls left over from 2020. I switched to reusable paper towels (they’re washable, last for months and are compostable!) and have cleaning rags for the bathrooms, along with washable mop heads for the floors. I purchase bamboo toilet paper and, when the those half dozen rolls of paper towels get used up I’ll purchase bamboo paper towels as well.

So all-in-all I’d say 2021 was a successful year for some resolutions. And yes, it is the 11th hour, but I’m setting this to publish on New Year’s Eve 2021! Why then the ambivalence for 2022?

Well, for one thing, I’m tired. Tired of the pandemic, of thinking about everything in terms of whether or not I could be at risk of getting COVID, of not being able to go anywhere or do anything. I’m sick of wearing a mask. Tired of testing, and of asking anyone at my threshold whether they’ve been vaccinated before I allow them entry.

The biggest social event on my calendar is a Friday night group zoom. I love my peeps who join me to end every week for conversation and debrief and beverage. We’ve been at it for almost two years. I’m just tired of it being the biggest event on my social calendar.

I need to get out more. I need to rejoin the world. I’ve been double-vaxed and boosted. What am I afraid of? Or am I just complacent in this existence?

I’ve seen a couple of Calvin and Hobbs New Year’s Resolution comics and I’ve shared them on Facebook, because I can relate. “I’m resolving to just wing it and see what happens.” “Resolutions? Me?? Just what are you implying? That I need to change?? Well, buddy, as far as I’m concerned I’m perfect the way I am!

That is all. Happy New Year!! Let’s wing it and see what happens!