17 Wishes for the New Year

Because I couldn’t stop at 16 wishes for 2016.

As 2016 nears, I reflect on how much we have not accomplished this year. Sure, we made great strides in raising our voices but how often did we use that voice to complain about our late GrubHub delivery or to criticize a new brand logo? Do we even remember how much negativity and complacency we have spread?

Ok, maybe you weren’t that bad, or maybe you were worse, it doesn’t really matter, but we can all do better. A new year is an opportunity to start over, start again, or finally start trying.

Below are what I hope we all work on in 2016, but this is only my viewpoint and yours is very likely different. I ask that you take what you need from this list, ask questions about what you don’t agree with, and leave the rest.

1. In 2016, I hope we stop talking about self care and start talking about being better people to ourselves and others.
2. In 2016, I hope we stop blaming the patriarchy and start focussing on tearing it down.
3. In 2016, I hope everyone contributes the maximum, federally-approved amount into their IRA.
4. In 2016, I hope we stop micro-complaining and start using our resources as a force for positive change.
5. In 2016, I hope we actively participate in systems that make our communities better.
6. In 2016, I hope we stop subtweeting and start offering support and feedback.
7. In 2016, I hope we stop working to make our own lives better and start working to make the lives of our communities better.
8. In 2016, I hope we change our focus from awareness to action.
9. In 2016, I hope we share our accomplishments as well as our failures.
10. In 2016, I hope we stop sending out self-promotional newsletters and start sharing the work and stories of people we admire.
11. In 2016, I hope we stop making a hot take and start asking questions.
12. In 2016, I hope we all raise our voices to stand up for ourselves and to speak up for others when they have lost their voice.
13. In 2016, I hope we stop posting trigger warnings and start finding respectful and compassionate ways to share and absorb challenging information.
14. In 2016, I hope a woman’s confidence stops being confused with aggression or heartlessness.
15. In 2016, I hope we stop unfriending people who are not like us and start being curious about our differences.
16. In 2016, I hope we all learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.
17. In 2016, I hope we all stop criticizing ourselves and start approving of ourselves because, despite our flaws and mistakes and heartaches, we are capable of so much love and generosity.