Wine, Chocolate, and Netflix

This year is going to be different.

Every year goes by and I promise myself I’m going to eat more broccoli, do ten push-ups every morning, learn to meditate, tackle that DIY project. And every year I fall short.

We’re creatures of habit, and my habits include wine, chocolate, and Netflix.

But this year? I’m doubling down.

I’m not going to let this year be the same as the last ones, nope. This year I’m going to set realistic goals for myself, work every day to accomplish them, and maybe even do some bullet-journaling to keep track of my progress.

Nothing can stand in my way!

The first thing I did was search for my favourite winery in Penticton and sign up for their ultra membership where they’ll be shipping me a case of wine every month.

Next, I went to Costco and bought a giant tub of Lindt chocolates.

After that, I purchased some brand new, super expensive lounge clothes so that I can be extra comfortable on the couch while I watch Bridgerton for the upteenth time.

Now this. THIS is a resolution I can get behind.

2020 was a tough year. Stuck in our homes to avoid contracting a volatile new illness, we watched helplessly as the world fell apart. Australia went up in smoke. Cops shot innocent civilians in their own homes. The government went to war against protesters, and then let rioters walk right into the Capitol building. Children remained separated from their families, detained because they were born on the wrong side of a superficial line in the dirt. A giant orange blob of filth was finally evacuated from the most powerful job in the world, though somehow it’s still sticking around, like crap on the side of the toilet after eating too much Taco Bell.

Like I said. A tough year.

That’s why my resolution isn’t to change, to try and stick to a new diet or exercise routine.

My resolution this year is to be kind to myself.

This year, I’m going to FaceTime my grandpa more often so that he can see my baby and toddler squeal and giggle at one another; sounds I take for granted but that bring tears to his eyes.

This year, I’m going to re-watch all the Marvel movies with my spouse, because that’s what brings them joy.

This year, I’m going to play Words With Friends with my mom while we chat over the phone so we can pretend we’re in the same room.

This year, I’m going to buy books exclusively by Black creators.

This year, I’m going to be grateful that the President of the United States is an actual decent human being, who won’t be Tweeting every garbage thought that pops into his head.

I’m going to continue to wear a mask, to wash my hands, to stay inside as much as I can to save our most fragile citizens, and hopefully reduce the stress of our healthcare workers. And when the vaccine is available, I’m going to take it.

I’m going to go to bed early, sleep in a little late, drink that extra cup of coffee, buy the bottle of wine that’s $17 instead of $12. I’m going to try that new recipe with the tofu and the peanut sauce, because why the hell not?

Life is hard enough as it is without worrying about everything out there, and I’m more privileged than most. I’ve been spared hardship, watching it unfold second-hand on my TV screen, safe and warm in my cocoon. With my mental health struggling to keep up with the days events, I can only imagine how others are faring.

We all have to cope. We all have to look after not just our physical health, but our mental health, too.

And sometimes that means drinking wine, eating chocolate, and watching Netflix.