Somehow we are all about to close the door on 2023 and make our way into 2024, and that just seems hard to believe, doesn’t it?
Anytime the new year rolls around, there’s always a sense of a “fresh start.” That often comes in the form of New Year’s resolutions, which if we’re being honest, never make it past two weeks of the new year.
What’s the saying though? “It’s the thought that counts,” right? New Year’s resolutions are all about self reflection, and becoming a better version of yourself. As long as you at least think of some ways you could improve, that has to be worth something. It’s better than doing nothing at all…
But if you do want to set out some goals for 2024, I went ahead and lassoed some country music songs together that should help get you in the right mindset for positive inspiration. Go ahead and scroll through this list and see if you can find any helpful tips for your own personal goal setting for the upcoming year.
“It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” – Alan Jackson & Jimmy Buffett
Here’s a classic that should surely help you out heading into 2024. This song’s all about having something to look forward to, and reframing your mindset in order to enjoy where you are in the moment.
I know it says “pour me something tall and strong” in the instantly recognizable chorus, but you can take that in the figurative sense just as much as you can understand it literally. Allow for Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett to help with your resolutions by pressing play below.
“Two More Bottles Of Wine” – Emmylou Harris
Who could be better than Emmylou Harris to help you toe tap into the New Year? Especially with her hit song “Two More Bottles of Wine,” and again, try not to focus on the literal, drinking-themed part of this song.
This tune is actually about being independent and not letting anyone get you down. You could easily listen to this and craft a special, empowering resolution for the New Year. Maybe something like “not letting obstacles drag you down,” and a good way to follow through with that is to always have a hobby you enjoy to fall back on, like… drinking “Two More Bottles of Wine.”
“I Think I’ll Just Stay Here And Drink” – Merle Haggard
I’m just now realizing that a lot of these songs have to do with drinking. Let me assure you that I didn’t intend to do that as I put together this list. And that might be hard to believe with this next Merle Haggard classic.
Yes, drinking alcohol is a clear message with this one, but its deeper meaning revolves around the idea of clearing your mind and being comfortable with yourself. You choosing to “stay here and drink” could just mean really relishing in that cup of coffee you just made, or taking a walk in the park and listening to the birds.
It could also mean you just stay somewhere (a bar) and drink (alcohol)…
“Whiskey River” – Willie Nelson
This song is all about self care, which is always important with New Year’s resolutions. Often times, when we set the new goals each year, they can be externally focused. By listening to the lyrics of “Whiskey River,” you should hopefully be inspired to find something you can do to help yourself internally.
When Willie Nelson says he’s “drowning in a whiskey river,” he’s really just saying that he wishes he was more mindful and proactive with his mental health. Make sure you don’t find yourself in a “Whiskey River” by taking care of yourself, and I’ve heard drinking whiskey can sometimes help with that.
“Beer Never Broke My Heart” – Luke Combs
Finally, we’ve got a song about finding that someone or something that will always be there for you. As you traverse the New Year, just know that there will always be peaks and valleys, so it’s extremely valuable to find something that you can always depend on.
Maybe that’s a good book, a phone call with a friend or loved one, going for a jog and getting some fresh air, or as Luke Combs puts it, a long-neck, ice-cold beer. Again though, don’t get up hung up in the surface level meaning of these lyrics, and explore all of the things that a “long-neck, ice-cold beer” could be in your life when you set your resolution.
So enough with the “New Year, new me.” How about we start a new, more attainable trend of “New Year, slightly better me,” or even “New Year, same old me?”
This year, let’s all set a goal that we can all achieve and be a little less worse than we were the year before. The list of songs above should help plenty with that sort of low expectations goal setting, and yes, I know they all have to do with drinking…
