Most of the posts and Reels and IG stories you’ll see in the next few days will be about new beginnings. That influencer talking about starting her workout regime. The friend from college starting her keto diet with unlimited steak. Your photography friend from that forum you belonged to…c’mon, you know the one…telling you all about her Photo a Day Challenge using only a super wide angle lens and one color scheme.

Well hey. I have an idea.

Let’s start the new year by giving up, how ’bout it? Here are 5 things I’m quitting in 2024.

I’M GIVING UP ON PEOPLE PLEASING

Don’t like me? Pffttt….who cares?! Basically not me. I don’t care one iota anymore.

I’M GIVING UP ON FRIENDSHIPS WITH PEOPLE WHO TALK NEGATIVELY ABOUT MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY

Not listening to it anymore. We’re grown people these days. Expect me to speak out and unfriend a couple of people in the coming weeks. If I haven’t already, that is.

I’M GIVING UP ON TRYING TO FIT INTO SOCIETY’S EXPECTATIONS OF BEAUTY

I’m 48 (closer to 49) with Hashimoto’s and a history of a wee bitty thyroid cancer. What does that mean for you? It means you’re looking at a neck scar surrounded by wrinkles and a squishy midsection. Honestly, it’s mentally exhausting to even try and keep up with looking young and perfect. And frankly? It’s expensive. Not doing it. I have made my decision between feeling happy and being perfect and I choose HaPpY.

I’M GIVING UP ON SAYING YES

You know what I’m going to say? NO. I’m going to say NO. “Can you be the room mom? Nobody else can do it.” NOPE. I commit to saying NO to anything that comes between me and my priorities in life.

I’M GIVING UP ON IGNORING GOD’S PLAN FOR MY LIFE

Oh. Hey God. Want me to *insert super hard thing God asks me to do here*….?
I’m all in. But listen. Just don’t ask me to be the room mom. I’ve already said no on that and I really can’t go back on my word.

So anyway….

Here’s to giving up!