Well, here we are, another year over. For the next week or two, you’ll be inundated with year-end reviews: “the top news stories/newsmakers/stocks/movies/songs of 2025” and the emotionally moving “who we lost.”
But just as January is named for the Roman god Janus, the guy with two faces, one looking backward in time to the left and the other to the right, gazing forward to the future, we can also expect some prognostications for the New Year. Indeed, this should be an eventful time, kicking off with the Winter Olympics, leading up to the World Cup, the 250th anniversary of American independence, only to wrap up with a very closely watched mid-term election. And don’t forget the almost daily announcements of advances in, you guessed it: AI, AI, and AI ad infinitum.
With all the hyper-driven attention on “big events,” we don’t want to lose focus on our own lives. I’ve never been a believer in setting New Year’s resolutions, which research shows fail over 80% of the time by the end of January, with only 9% ever achieving actual success. Losing 20 pounds over the first few weeks of the year never worked out for me, but it did when I decided to do something when I felt ready to.
We’re so accustomed to planning out the entirety of our lives (think of “planning for retirement”) or at work (e.g., “strategic planning”), but the fact remains that often, through no fault of our own, things don’t always work out as we envisioned. Remember the adage “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry?” That may happen, but it ought not stop us from envisioning a fulfilling future, or even a fulfilling year.
We create daily “to-do” lists to help us break down tasks into bite-sized doables, shooting for what can be possibly done, even if they spill over into the next day. It may be beneficial to think of the upcoming year the same way. No one can always effectively plan everything, but setting doable, realistic goals can help us achieve what we’d like to see happen. So, how about starting a “do” list for the year, with the thought that after twelve months we can look back and smile with satisfaction?
There are many possibilities. Here are a few to help jump-start your thoughts.
Visit at least one place out of town that you’ve never been to. This can, but doesn’t have to be, across an ocean or even the country. There are numerous scenic locales rich in heritage, culture and entertainment within several hours of St. Louis. Experiencing new places can be a great stress reliever while opening you up to new perspectives. I’ve still been meaning to visit Elephant Rocks State Park, only an hour and a half drive south on Highway 21. I think I’ll put that on the do list for ’26.
Another goal might be to visit one location in the St. Louis region each season you’ve never been to. If the zoo, art museum, botanical garden, or science center is too well-worn, how about lesser-known, but still enriching, sites: the Daniel Boone home in Defiance, Missouri, Cahokia Mounds just across the river or historic downtown Alton, Illinois? Or maybe soak up the charm of Sappington House in Crestwood, Oakland House in Affton, or take picturesque hikes through Bee Tree Park in Oakville or Powder Valley Conservation area in Kirkwood, virtually in our backyards in South County? Concerts and theater performances could count as “new” experiences if you’ve never seen them before. Even better, make these nearby excursions an occasion to attend with friends or family members you haven’t seen in a while. You and your companion(s) will appreciate the “mini-reunion.”
Finally, how about making a difference by volunteering for at least one new civic or charitable organization in the area?
The choices are too numerous to mention here. They might be associated with a church or faith group, a veteran’s organization, a food pantry or one of many senior living centers in South County. An up-to-date list of volunteer opportunities can be found here. The requirements are often as simple as a giving heart and hands to help. Who knows, you might become a regular or join the group’s board of directors! Remember, you’re always in control of setting the pace. In the end, you’ll receive the gratitude of others for your time and thoughtfulness and experience the inner reward of giving.
The possibilities for a satisfying 2026 are endless! Let’s check back in a year to see how we’ve done.
