Ten wishes - for now and always.

Original post date: 01.23.2023. Revised: 07.19.2025

While most people treat the first month of the new year as a marker for fresh beginnings and soon-to-be-abandoned resolutions, I think of January as last year’s hangover.

After packing away the holiday décor, it’s time to wrap up the previous year: organize paperwork for tax season, clean the oven, and finally donate or recycle the suits and dresses I wore to work — the ones that have taken up permanent residence (and valuable real estate) in my closet. (The shoes stay, though. There’s no reason to give away a perfectly good pair of three-inch orange and pink stilettos. Because — well, you never know. See below.)

That’s why my “May the New Year bring you…” list is late. But it’s still very well-intended. So, whether your new year starts on January 1, or “whenever…” here’s my wish for you.

1. May you find whatever you’re looking for — whether it’s your phone, your glasses, your new gig, your true love, your car keys, or your purpose. It’s out there somewhere.

2. May you have at least one genuinely good customer service experience. A friend of mine often says, “We’ve entered the era where you’re the customer, so you provide your own service.” While I find that painfully true, may your experience be the exception — with shorter hold times, actual human responses, and fewer surveys asking about service you didn't receive.

3. If you’re planning a home repair project, may your contractor show up. (Being on time would just be icing on the cake.)

4. May you find the courage to overcome one fear — whatever it is. Bonus points if it’s a full-blown phobia.

5. May you finally set aside time to unsubscribe from the tsunami of unsolicited emails that flood your inbox every day.

6. May you find your tribe. If you already have one, may you spend more time with them. If you don’t, may you make one new friend this year.

7. May you discover more ways to be kind to yourself. Not necessarily in a spa-day kind of way — though that’s fine, too — but more in the sense of forgiving yourself for past mistakes and showing up each day as your truest, most human self.

8.May you make time to learn (or re-learn) something new. Even something small from your “I’ve always wanted to…” list. This year, I’m re-learning how to crochet because you can literally unravel your mistakes and start over. Plus, it’s something relaxing to do while binge-watching Netflix.

9. May you find an unexpected, meaningful way to surprise someone.A few years ago, I sent a Valentine’s Day card to a 98-year-old friend of my parents. She often calls to say how much she misses them. Then I started sending cards to two more non-related “aunts,” both of whom — while ageless — live alone. Now I send cards for every holiday. Recently, one of them told me, “I’d be so disappointed if I didn’t get a card from you now.”

10.And finally…May you stay upright. May you stay healthy. May you stay patient. And may you stay deeply, truly grateful. Very, very grateful.

Which of these New Year’s wishes resonated most with you? Or do you have one of your own to add?