All Psyched Up: Resolution

By Linda Hancock on January 10, 2026.

Because we are at the start of a New Year, I verbally asked my phone to give me a definition of the word resolution. It replied with: “A firm decision to do or not to do something”.

Now that leaves a lot of room for interpretation! So, I decided to go with hints that helped me over the past year to get rid of things that were cluttering up my life and weighing me down:

Get rid of THINGS:

1. If you can’t name what is in that box it means that you don’t miss or need it, so don’t keep it.

2. If it doesn’t fit and went out of style a long time ago, it is time to get rid of it.

3. If someone would enjoy and use it more often than you presently do, gift it.

4. If there is so much of it in your home that you would be embarrassed to have company, time to purge.

5. If it doesn’t work and you have planned to repair it for months, let someone else repair it.

6. If it has value and you can sell it, use the money for something you really want.

7. If it was prepared on a typewriter, dated more than a decade ago or on paper that has yellowed, it is garbage.

8. If you don’t know the people in the photos, you are storing useless trivia.

9. If you can only seat six people in your home, think again as to why you have several sets of dishes.

10. If you find yourself buying a screwdriver because your garage is so messy you can’t find one, clean the garage.

11. If you are buying licenses for trades and vehicles you never use, save the effort and the money.

12. If you think that you will use it someday, quit kidding yourself.

Get rid of PEOPLE AND ACTIVITIES:

1. If you find yourself dreading the next call from your friend, maybe that person isn’t a friend.

2. If you surround yourself with people who are constantly telling you about how the world is a mess, protect your time and go somewhere else to visit.

3. If you really dislike the lessons you have been taking and aren’t making progress – stop!

4. If you are doing things that are hurting your health and body, consider hiring someone to do them.

5. If the “expert” that you trust is annoying and doesn’t seem to be an expert of you, find another expert.

6. If listening to the news is making you anxious or depressed, turn off the television.

7. If you keep doing the same things over and over again without a good result, try doing something else.

8. If you are constantly looking for things and can’t find them, start today to make a place for everything and then keep everything in its place.

9. If you feel overwhelmed with things and don’t know how to deal with them, ask for advice from someone who knows how to make a good plan.

10. If you are wishing and hoping but live a boring life and are never doing things that you dream about, take a chance!

11. If your bank account is empty and your health is failing, do some research to learn strategies for improvement.

12. If you think that you have better ideas for your life than this column recommends, please start today to put them into action.

Happy New Year, everyone!

Dr. Linda Hancock, the author of “Life is An Adventure…every step of the way” and “Open for Business Success” is a Registered Psychologist who has a private practice in Calgary. She can be reached by email at office@drlindahancock.com

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