Lee Byron

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Most New Year’s resolutions fail. Gym memberships spike in January followed by a surge of cancellations weeks later. There’s some research suggesting that fewer than one in five have resolutions that last through a second year. Creating new habits is hard, kicking existing ones is even harder.

I’m approaching 2024 with two variations on a resolution: a motif and fortnights.

Motif

I’m choosing a single word as a motif representing the year ahead. It should be somewhat aspirational and intentionally non-concrete. It is not a goal in itself but should guide decision making, inform habits and goals. It’s intentional psychological priming.

This year’s motif is restoration.

Restoration is meant to be interpreted broadly. It involves anything aimed at renewing or revitalizing myself physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually, going beyond mere rest to replenish energy, balance, and overall well-being.

Fortnights

Rather than choose one habit or goal for the year, I’m taking on a new one every fortnight, or every two weeks. Each fortnight’s goal will relate to the restoration motif. I’m going to approach this as a scientist. What is restorative to me? The goal is not to change my habits (though I hope at least a few stick) but to learn, fail often, and attempt to answer this question.

I’ll do six of these experiments per season, with one week breaks interspersed.

Have ideas for what I should try? Get in touch!

Addendum: Restoration framework

To help explore ideas for restoration experiments, I’ve created a five-axis framework inspired by Maslow’s Heirarchy, Ikigai, and Dimensional Wellness:

  1. Physiological: Rejuvenate the body and replenish energy. Includes sleep, diet, and fitness.

  2. Cognitive: Reduce cognitive stress and fatigue, enhance executive function, foster mental well-being, satisfy creativity and curiosity.

  3. Sensory: Reduce external stress, enrich senses, seek beauty, and create or be in harmonious environments.

  4. Social-emotional: Foster emotional resilience, social belonging, high esteem and self-respect.

  5. Purpose: Be impactful, grow professionally, parent well.

I’ll interpret each axis along an active/passive spectrum. Each will be interpreted in slightly different ways, but active actions should push boundaries and present worthwhile challenges while passive ones should be restful and at times indulgent.