Resolutions Out, Intentions In

Current Curiosities

[Reading] On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century Graphic Edition by Timothy Snyder + Nora Krug

[Listening] "Unchained Melody"/"You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" by The Unrighteousness Brothers

[Watching] The Mystery of the Wax Museum 

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Roamin' and Ramblin' into the New Year 

I can't remember when I first stumbled across Woody Guthrie's 1943 list of New Year's resolutions or which Instagram account had posted it. Before the 2016 Presidential Election? After? Before the 2020? Honestly, aside from wanting to provide attribution, I suppose it doesn't really matter anymore how I found it, but that I did. 

When I maintained social media accounts, I would post Guthrie's handwritten resolutions, highlighting both his penmanship (a gorgeous mix of cursive and printed all-caps), doodles, and particularly his twenty-seventh resolution: HELP WIN WAR - BEAT FASCIM.
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I added the blue box highlighting Resolution 27 whenever I initially took this screenshot.

​For more than a decade, we've witnessed a rise in fascism in the United States and abroad. And perhaps by the time I've uploaded this post, we will be at war with Venezuela. Though, the word war is misleading, as the violence is one-sided and the actions of a demented bully wielding the world's strongest military. So it seems, once again, we too are faced with war (on several potential fronts) abroad while confronting fascism at home. Happy 2026, I guess??? 
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HELP WIN WAR - BEAT FASCISM

​Anyway, the other day, I finished reading Timothy Snyder's On Tyranny, and one thing that struck me, aside from the parallels between our current moment and twentieth-century fascist and totalitarian regimes, was how small interpersonal acts and decisions can flaunt tyrannical control. Indeed Snyder suggests make eye contact and small talk (Lesson 12), practice corporeal politics (Lesson 13), and establish a private life (Lesson 14), among others.

Now, I have never been a fan of New Year's resolutions. Resolutions are black and white, pass or fail - or to paraphrase Yoda resolutions are do or do not; there's not a lot of room to try.* That is a lot of pressure to put on yourself at the start of a new year. So instead of resolutions, I am setting intentions for 2026. For me, intentions provide space for missteps and mistakes, for reflection and learning, highlighting progress and process over perfection.
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HELP WIN WAR - BEAT FASCISM

So as I reflect on the year behind us and consider the one ahead, I thought I would frame my intentions for 2026 through the lens of Snyder's lessons.

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My 2026 Intentions

• While there is natural teeter-tottering in friendships, I intend to continue pruning one-sided relationships and cultivating deeper, more reciprocal friendships. [Lessons 12 and 14]

 

• Hearts are made to love and break and heal and love again. It's time to get over the heartbreak and develop a more robust private, personal life. [Lesson 14]

 

• Now more than ever, it's important to speak up, even though there are very real consequences for doing so. (Believe me, I know.) For me, this means rejecting my learned trauma responses of fawning and appeasement. It's time to turn the Department of Homeland Security's slogan — if you see something, say something — on its head: If you witness harassment or discrimination, speak up immediately. Shame and disrupting their peace is the only way to successfully combat bigots. But remember, there's always the potential for danger when confronting the cis-hets. [Lessons 19 and 20​]

 

• This year, I intend to continue minimizing my screen time in favor of spending more time with friends, more time outdoors, and more time on analog hobbies (fountain pens, reading, and baking). Also, I intend to protest more and be in community with others engaged in the work. [Lesson 13]

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​CODA
Queer and trans folks may be best positioned for Lesson No. 12 in which Snyder underscores the importance of observing your surroundings as a way of knowing whom you should trust or not. As LGBTQ+ people, we already do this on a daily basis, in new situations and old, with new people and old. This practice has protected us for generations against the radical and religious Right. So keep on keeping on, team. Continue being alert. Continue being cautious and critical of those in power. And continue protecting and supporting each other. [Lesson 12]
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HELP WIN WAR - BEAT FASCISM

I wish y'all a safe, healthy, and happy 2026. Thank you very much for your time. If you have recommendations or curiosities, please fill out this nifty contact form.

Sending y’all supportive, well-caffeinated vibes, 

Creighton 

Today’s Pen(cil): Sherpa Christmas Lights 2023 Limited Edition Pen Cover [Sharpie]

*I prefer Kanan Jarrus' reframing of Yoda's maxim in ​Rebels: If all I do is try, that means I don't truly believe that I can succeed.