2023 Recap / 2024 Precap

Resolutions, Resolve, False-starts and Re-starts

My Perspective on Resolutions & Resolve

The number of times I’ve stated that I don’t do new year’s resolutions but instead work on my resolve has turned it into a cliché. Also, it may be dishonest or a misstatement, at minimum.

As it turns out, I do make new year’s resolutions. But I don’t see them as particularly binding or substantial due to when they are made. Rather, I make resolutions (and, apparently, break them) all year long.

Much of the time, that is fine. There are resolutions you should “break” or modify as situations dictate. There are others that constitute failures… in resolve and dedication. 

In either case, you need to take action to attempt to fix or improve on the mistakes and, for those resolutions that require it, you need to adjust and realign them with the current realities.

As we speed into 2024 my admonishment and advice to the reader is that you make whatever resolutions you wish to. But keep this in mind.

Every month, every week, every day, every hour, is a suitable time to assess how you are doing and make adjustments or recommit. The danger of new year’s resolutions is that when we inevitably drop the ball on what we consider critical resolutions (fitness, health, behavior, relationship, etc.), it leads to dropping the resolution entirely; waiting another year to set new ones. Or, worse yet, giving up on making any resolutions.

And so, I give you permission

I give you permission to fail at a given resolution, beat yourself up for 3 to 6 seconds (what the hell’s wrong with you?), and then re-assert or modify your resolution as necessary. Perhaps add some accountability to someone you trust to help keep you honest and focused. 

And then move on!

Also, if you don’t want to take the 3 to 6 seconds I’ve allocated to beat yourself up, you can skip right to the re-assertion and/or modification. Personally, I’m fond of the self-flagellation - one of my curious emotional kinks…. but I digress.

I still view resolve as more critical than the resolutions themselves. See Camus quote below.

This topic is going to get some attention next year. Recent conversations tell me that I am not alone in the “make ‘em & break ‘em” resolutions game.

That’s all I have to say about that topic, for now.

2023: A Brief Retrospective

We’re just going to talk about creative output. It was NOT up to par. Not even close!!

I only wrote two songs this year. They’re really good songs though.. But still, only two. 

However, that isn’t an issue for me. I’m okay with my songwriting output because my focus was recording music, making videos, and writing more (prose, etc.).

And it is in those areas that I failed.

(Smack! Schwack! Snap! Kapow!)... ouch!!!

Okay… that felt good… That is my 2023 Recap, in total. We’re going to talk about 2024.

The proverbial “end” of 2023

2024: Broad Creative Objectives

Without providing the specifics - though I do have specifics and they will be forthcoming - my creative resolutions for 2024 are:

• Record and release higher quality music

• Write, shoot, and record official music videos (yep, plural)

• More consistent written and musical output on Substack and YouTube (primarily)

• Help other songwriters and creatives through some lessons and encouragement

• Write one song a month (at minimum) - the only specific I’m providing at the moment

• Read more

I do other creative things from time to time. I go on photoshoots with Deb and take subpar photos. I still occasionally sketch poorly as well. But those are diversions of the moment. They do not have any true pull on my time or attention.

Photo of some kids we photographed on Christmas Day.

I’m also re-writing my “Ideal Working Day”. I’ll share this as an exercise for 2024. I realize that I haven’t done a complete re-write of mine in nearly 20 years. It is overdue.

In short, what does an ideal day look like for you? It’s a fun and revealing exercise. I provide some parameters to keep it realistic and true. Look for that in January.

If you are not subscribed to The Marginalian newsletter¹, I recommend you remedy that. I was reading the latest edition and took a bit of a link rabbit trail. I ended up reading this quote:

Great novels… prove the effectiveness of human creation. They convince one that the work of art is a human thing, never human enough, and that its creator can do without dictates from above. Works of art are not born in flashes of inspiration but in a daily fidelity.
-Albert Camus (link to where I read it)

Daily fidelity! That’s my new year’s resolution!

I’d love to hear from you! Anything special planned for 2024? Any resolutions - big or small? Share them in the comments or write to me directly.

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Conclusion

I sincerely hope the holiday season was eventful, or uneventful, in correlation to your desires.

I have some friends who are going through an ordeal right now… my thoughts are with both of you and your family.

I suspect there are others going through ordeals as well. If that is you, I hope for strength and comfort and for people close to you to help lighten the load.

If you are able, help lighten someone’s load.

I’ll be back in 2024.

Thanks for tuning in and joining me on this journey!

With love and gratitude!

Matthew Moran
December 26, 2023

1. My friend and unofficial mentor, George, has forwarded me a couple editions of The Marginalian. I was already subscribed. It is nice when someone who’s thinking you respect forwards material that is already on your radar. It confirms how smart you are… ;-)

Also, I don’t necessarily stop to read every edition, so his prompts stop me long enough to go back and read what he suggests.