Resolution
I don't normally do New Year's resolutions, but I've decided to do one. I would have made this decision anyway, but the timing just happens to be that it's December 31st today when I came to this decision:
I'm going to make a better effort to inquire about other people's happiness and wellbeing.
It seems like a simple little thing -- y'know...just ask if they have any fun plans for the weekend, how are the kids, are they settling in well to their new apartment, do they need help figuring out how to use that new spreadsheet, etc.
I have been so goddamn self-absorbed over the last couple of years, what with personal challenges as well as having a baby. Being stressed and overtired makes it easy to forget about what's going on with other people, and often you just don't even really care. I have totally neglected maintaining polite pleasantries with people, and several times lately I have realized that I don't even know what is going on in the lives of some of my own friends and family. It's time to get reconnected again and show I really do care.
Starting work again has drawn my attention to the new people who began while I was away, and I want to make sure I get to know them and make them feel welcome and included, especially because there is quite a bit of agitation in some areas of our office right now. I want to be the ray of sunshine.
I'm definitely starting this year with a renewed energy and I want to invest in things that will create more positivity for everyone. This resolution is a start.