New Year’s resolutions? Start simple

Happy New Year.

Robert Burns, a Scottish poet, wrote the popular tune, “Auld Lang Syne,” in 1788. The famed Canadian orchestra leader Gaetano “Guy” Lombardo, who formed the band The Royal Canadians with three of his brothers and other musicians, recorded the song and played it many times at New Year Eve parties.

For many of us, the song alone triggers thoughts of “out with the old, in with the new.”

With the new year arriving, I decided to revisit the idea of New Year’s resolutions.

“I think more in terms of a bucket list than I do of resolutions anymore,” said one neighbor who asked to remain anonymous.

My husband, Tony, makes resolutions every year and reviews his list at the beginning of July, adding or subtracting as he deems necessary.

I’m not that fastidious, but I do like to make a list and take stock along the way.

This year, along with the de rigueur “exercise more,” I plan on becoming clutter-free. Somewhere along the line, I have become a bit of a pack rat. I’m not bad enough to have the people from the television show “Hoarders” make a surprise visit or conduct an intervention, but enough to have my daughter offer to help me organize the walk-in attic.

I appreciate the offer, but I plan on beginning with my handbag and going from there.

My carry-on luggage could be lightened, too, and I don’t need to save every Christmas card each year.

Magazines (and online sites) generally have articles with great de-cluttering tips in January alongside their stories with suggestions for maintaining better health, and I plan to peruse these stories with highlighter in hand for easy reference.

A few of my friends have said they are thinking along the same lines, regarding plans for making their lives easier, neater and more healthy in 2013, so it looks like many of us are looking forward to a fresh start.

Best wishes to everyone for a new year of good health, good fortune and good times.