Resolutions and Reflections

MOSES LAKE – With the new year, many people create new year’s resolutions and reflect on the year they just had. Many new year’s resolutions are related to mental and physical health, finances and breaking bad habits.

“Well it takes 21 days to develop a habit so you just have to be persistent,” said Lynn Alderson of Moses Lake.

Alderson said that 2022 treated her better than 2021 did, and she hopes to focus on a financial goal in 2023. The goal to pay off a debt may not be fully reached in 2023, but Alderson said she thinks she can pay off a decent amount of it by the end of the year.

“Almost half of all Americans make at least one New Year’s resolution,” a release by the Department of Homeland Security states. “Although we don’t all follow through, the simple act of making a resolution has positive effects on behavior change.”

The release explains that a study published in the “Journal of Clinical Psychology” found that those who set New Year's resolutions are 10 times more likely to change their behavior than those who don’t.

Moses Lake resident Cindy Good said she has taken some time to think about new year’s resolutions and decided to focus on her health by doing yoga for the first time.

“Well because I’m getting to be an old lady,” Good said with a laugh. “It’s something that I know I still can do and I’ll carry on with.”

Good said she was able to visit a lot of her family in 2022 and hopes to continue to make time with those she loves, but wants to scale it back a little since she felt like she was traveling nonstop.

“2022 was pretty well a marathon,” said Good.

Natasha Jaques of Moses Lake said that 2022 was a challenging year for her and she is glad she was able to push through her challenges. Looking forward to 2023, she hopes to focus on herself.

“I guess my resolution would just be (to be) a better person than I was last year,” said Jaques. “Focusing more on myself and what I need to do for myself rather than what I need to do for other people.”

Some advice Jaques has for others to meet their resolutions or goals include being realistic and having patience.

“Sometimes your outcome is not going to come as soon as you think it is so don’t be hard on yourself,” Jaques said.

Moses Lake resident Nolan Sloan said he doesn’t set new year’s resolutions.

“I like to think about it as whatever changes I’m trying to make, I’m trying to make for the rest of my life,” Sloan said.

Sloan, a musician, has goals of playing more shows this year and paying off some student debt, as well as moving back to a big city like Los Angeles, Seattle or Nashville.

He also is proud of recording and releasing half a record this past year and looks forward to releasing the other half in the coming year.

Cierra Amezcua, of Ephrata, accomplished a lot in 2022. Some of those accomplishments include getting married and buying property.

Amezcua said some of her goals for 2023 include learning new skills such as building for the new property.

“Be realistic about your goals; don’t get too excited and burn out within the first two months of the year,” said Amezcua. “Just keep going and you’ll eventually see the end.”

Rebecca Pettingill may be reached at rpettingill@columbiabasinherald.com.