You’re probably not going to accomplish your New Year’s resolution.
After all, 91% of people will fail to achieve theirs. Don’t get me wrong, I support the reflection, self-inventory, and aspiration that comes with this time of year. You’ll hear people who say they want to work out more or read more or drink less, and yet those ambitions will be long forgotten by Groundhog’s Day.
You can just tell when someone has an empty promise of a resolution. It’s like hearing “we should get together soon” knowing damn well you won’t be.
Maybe you’re reading this and thinking “fuck you, man. I’m going to stick to it and prove your ass wrong.” I wish you would. Prove it. If it takes me being a hater for you to accomplish your goals, I’ll be honored.
But what I really want is for you to not get so caught up in the resolution. Don’t let an arbitrary destination steal from your progress, and don’t confine that progress to a goal or time period. You have an opportunity to be a better version of yourself each and every day. All it takes is being 1% better and that growth will compound. Celebrate your wins and progress as they come and don’t feel shame or regret on days when you have to take a step back or when showing up is the best you can do.
Maybe you’ll need some music along the way that gets you fired up. Here’s 100 songs that get my energy and confidence up.
Starting Five: Dialed In Edition
Album of the Week
Model by Wallows
Sometimes you just want an alt rock album with catchy riffs and choruses. You may have seen Model as an Honorable Mention in My Favorite Albums of 2024.
Featured Tracks
We’re entering an elite cozy period. Embrace it. Here’s some music-related streaming recommendations:
Yacht Rock: A Documentary (MAX): Whether or not you are privy to yacht rock and its cult-ish sub-culture, this documentary is excellent. I mean, if you don’t like the feel good, soft rock vibes of The Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan, Toto and Michael McDonald, you can fuck off.
Beyoncé Bowl (Netflix): Watch this unreal 12-minute performance from Beyoncé at halftime of the Ravens-Texans game on Christmas Day.
Rhythm+Flow Season 2 (Netflix): Take American Idol, drop the corniness, make it hip hop, add electric celebrity hosts, and showcase some very legitimate talent.
Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (Prime or Disney+): The Harlem Culture Festival in 1969 was considered “black Woodstock” with nearly 300,000 people in attendance, but it received essentially no media attention. In his directorial debut, Questlove pieced together old concert footage and interviews with attendees to bring this essential documentary with legendary performances from Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sly and The Family Stone, and many more.
Peace, Love, and Positive Vibes.