It’s the New Year, a time to leave the past behind, embrace positive change, and look forward to better times. I’ve eschewed the traditional New Year’s Resolutions before, and this year is no exception, but I do get introspective as I turn the page on the calendar and reveal a year full of possibility.

I’m a fan of listening to podcasts and to things The Universe seems determined to tell me. Recently I’ve heard several Podcast guests mention how a list of rules guides their lives, if you will, they call The Non-negotiables. Actor/Writer/Producer Bill Hader discussed his N-Ns on the Ten Percent Happier podcast with Dan Harris, and I thought creating a list of my own was the perfect reset exercise to kick off the year.

Non-negotiable 1: Move Every Day

My approach toward exercise has evolved in the past few years. Running used to be my go-to; I rarely stretched, and I never lifted weights. Now, I walk more than I run, and Peloton rides are my primary cardio workout. I’ve also added a routine of weight training, which is surprisingly rewarding and energizing. My end-of-year reading list was focused on health and longevity; from Dr. Gabrielle Lyon’s “Forever Strong” to Dr. Peter Attia’s “Outlive,” I’ve been thinking about how to live healthier, not just longer.

2: More Water than Coffee

I’m stealing this directly from Bill Hader’s list. He spoke about how reducing caffeine helps him manage his anxiety, and even though I truly love coffee, I know this change is worth a try. The best cup of coffee is always the first, and I’d like to enjoy it mindfully.

3: Daily Meditation Practice

I started meditating several years ago, but my daily practice sometimes falls victim to a busy schedule and other demands of working motherhood and life in general. The new year is an excellent time to remind myself that time spent in meditation practice is always well-spent. For those looking to start a practice, I highly recommend the Ten Percent Happier app, which includes several series on getting started, loving-kindness meditation, and more. I particularly love the sleep meditations on TPH and the Calm app, which help me wind down and fall asleep quickly and peacefully at the end of the day.

4: Leave the Screens, Return to Words

I love reading, but as with meditation, my daily reading habit falls victim to screen/phone time. Conversely, my screen time has crept up, and so has my anxiety. 2024 is a year of more words and fewer screens. I vowed to work on my writing more in 2022, and there’s no excuse once I’ve freed myself from the time-suck that is screen time. Like my limited coffee consumption, my limited leisure time on screens can feel like a treat versus a black hole.

5: Embrace JOMO

For my most significant Non-Negotiable of 2024, I plan to let go of FOMO for good and genuinely embrace JOMO: Joy of Missing Out. This is something that’s been creeping up on me as I get older, and with respect to Nirvana, I have no apologies. I no longer fear not being part of everything or anything. Instead, I want to enjoy time with those I’m with, or when I’m alone, truly embrace silence. If I’m successful, 2024 is when I leave social media behind, leave people who drain my energy behind, leave habits that no longer serve me, and replace them all with the joy of being where I am and who I am.

The Washington Post’s resident neuroscientist and Brain Matters columnist Richard Sima writes that JOMO can feel rejuvenating because it helps us stop being preoccupied with other people. He says that while FOMO is a normal human condition that existed long before social media, intentionally creating periods of disconnection can help people recharge. Those who purposely stepped away from social media, the article states, had higher psychological well-being than those who didn’t, something I’ve personally experienced.

As the 2024 Calendar unfurls its pages before me, I’m diving into a year fueled by more movement, mindful sips of water over my cherished coffee, a daily rendezvous with meditation, and the real game-changer: Embracing JOMO. This isn't just about skipping the small stuff; it's a pledge to be present, relishing the beauty of everyday simplicity, and creating a life authentically mine. So, here's to a year of intentional joy, gratitude, and finding delight in the art of missing out – because sometimes, the most profound moments are the ones we deliberately choose. I hope your 2024 is full of a non-negotiable list of things that bring you joy and peace, and I hope to see you IRL this year.