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What’s Your Resolution? 2021

Tina Lernø, Librarian, Digital Content Team,
Survey says, Happy 2021!
Survey says, Happy 2021!

January is the month for resolutions; making them, revising them, and keeping them, but in an unprecedented year like 2020 was, how do we set goals in such a complex time as 2021 is sure to be?

I did a bit of research (yes I'm a librarian and it's my stock in trade), and the consensus seems to be we should be making small bite-size goals—looking inward and really seeing what we can do for self-care, or even a one-word theme might be helpful.

I think of my 2020 vision board still gathering dust on the wall of my office; there were thoughts of more travel, more live music, all things that may not happen in 2021 either. So how to move forward and still look forward to what's to come? Here is my list and I hope it might help you all as well.


  • Breathe: Though it goes without saying its something we are already doing, make a practice out of mindfully meditating and focusing on your breath.
  • Get a good night's sleep: Yes this is easier said than done, but many books have come out in the last year I found very helpful.
  • Be kind to yourself: So you didn't make a sourdough starter or binge (insert popular bingey Netflix show here) that show, it's okay.
  • Limit news and social media: Watching the 24 hour news cycle is not good for you. If you can, limit your time doom scrolling at 3 a.m. (refer to item 2), and watching the news 24/7, it will be there when you wake up, and it will be there after work, you don't need to look at it all day long.
  • Go on a walk: You don't have to get 10,000 steps in; even a daily or nightly walk around the block can help increase your sense of well being.
  • Read: It wouldn't be a library list if I didn't add this on here! Fiction is a great distraction but read about social justice, the environment, and implicit bias as well.

That's it. If you want to add more, do it, but give yourself a break if you don't.


Best Books for New Beginnings


Book cover for How to Sleep: The New Science-Based Rules for Sleeping Through the Night
How to Sleep: The New Science-Based Rules for Sleeping Through the Night
Pelayo, Rafael

Book cover for Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams
Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams
Walker, Matthew P.

Book cover for The Science of Sleep: What it is, How it Works, and Why it Matters
The Science of Sleep: What it is, How it Works, and Why it Matters
Mendelson, Wallace B.

Book cover for Eat, Sleep, Work, Repeat: 30 Hacks for Bringing Joy to Your Job
Eat, Sleep, Work, Repeat: 30 Hacks for Bringing Joy to Your Job
Daisley, Bruce

Book cover for Fast Asleep: Improve Brain Function, Lose Weight, Boost Your Mood
Fast Asleep: Improve Brain Function, Lose Weight, Boost Your Mood
Mosley, Michael, 1957-

Book cover for Eat to Sleep
Eat to Sleep
Meyer, Karman

Book cover for How to Sleep Well
How to Sleep Well
Idzikowski, Christopher

Book cover for The Sleep Solution: Why You Can't Sleep and How to Fix It
The Sleep Solution: Why You Can't Sleep and How to Fix It
Winter, W. Chris

Book cover for Mindfulness and Meditation: Handling Life With a Calm and Focused Mind
Mindfulness and Meditation: Handling Life With a Calm and Focused Mind
Stewart, Whitney

Book cover for Nothing Much Happens
Nothing Much Happens
Nicolai, Kathryn

Book cover for Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art
Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art
Nestor, James

Book cover for How to Breathe: 25 Simple Practices for Calm, Joy, and Resilience
How to Breathe: 25 Simple Practices for Calm, Joy, and Resilience
Neese, Ashley

Book cover for How Not to be a Hot Mess
How Not to be a Hot Mess
Hase, Craig

Book cover for Badass Habits
Badass Habits
Sincero, Jen, 1965-

Book cover for Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times
Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times
May, Katherine

Book cover for How to Write One Song
How to Write One Song
Tweedy, Jeff, 1967-

Book cover for In Praise of Walking: A New Scientific Exploration
In Praise of Walking: A New Scientific Exploration
O'Mara, S. M.

Book cover for The Art of Flaneuring
The Art of Flaneuring
Owen, Erika

Book cover for A Walking Life
A Walking Life
Malchik, Antonia

Book cover for This Book Will Make you Kinder: An Empathy Handbook
This Book Will Make you Kinder: An Empathy Handbook
Garrett, Henry James

Book cover for The Art of Showing Up
The Art of Showing Up
Miller, Rachel Wilkerson

Book cover for How to be Fine
How to be Fine
Greenberg, Jolenta

Book cover for How to Stay Human in a F*cked-up World
How to Stay Human in a F*cked-up World
Desmond, Tim

Book cover for Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies
Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies
Schuster, Tara


 

 

 

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