People in San Mateo County committing to New Year’s resolutions

Turning 72 in March, Ragan challenged himself not to touch any alcohol this month.

“I don’t drink heavily,” Ragan said. “Just to know I can do it, and it’s good for your system. Just setting a small goal at a time instead of making too big a goal, which can become a little overwhelming.”

Besides participating in dry January, he plans to travel this year with his family.

“Appreciate the fact that you’re still kicking,” Ragan said. “You got to keep on track if you want to succeed in life. In the sense that if you want to do these things, then you have to be conscious of them.”

He and his wife, for their birthdays, plan to explore Spain and Portugal for a couple of weeks. With his group of friends, they plan a couple of basketball excursions to Chicago, Milwaukee and Dallas to catch the Golden State Warriors play.

In the works, they are planning to try to mimic their trip last year following the San Francisco Giants.

“I’m just trying to enjoy all facets of life,” Ragan said.

While some are planning trips around the world, others are planning to work on themselves this year like David Canepa, who will be named president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors Tuesday.

Turning 50 in August, Canepa has made it a goal to shed some pounds.

“I’d like to lose some weight, to be in the best shape possible, and to live many, many years,” Canepa said.

He started his New Year’s resolution early in hopes of building a habit and routine for January.

“I started probably the third or fourth week of December just really walking,” Canepa said. “Walking an hour a day, watching the food that I eat and then really making sure that I’m able to do it for at least five to six months. Sometimes, the resolutions that I have are hard to accomplish.”

This year is very special to him as he hits this half-century mark in his life, inspiring himself to stay consistent.  

“One hopes that great wisdom is gained,” Canepa said. “We’ve done this 49 times. Some years, I do real good and come out refreshed, revived, but then sometimes that enthusiasm and passion are met with not hitting the benchmarks that I’ve had.”

To keep himself consistent, he started meditating every morning, trying to find balance and reminding himself of his goals.

Some New Year’s resolutions are more about helping others than themselves, like Pamala Rittelmeyer, who has lived in San Mateo for eight years and wants to improve the neighborhood-living environment.

“I want to work on improving communication and collaboration between neighbors,” Rittelmeyer said. “I work from home. I walk around the neighborhood a lot. My child goes to school here. My husband works here. We want the neighborhood to be a healthy place for people of all ages and all abilities.”

Rittelmeyer envisions neighbors referring others to those from whom they get help.  

“I want to really improve how I communicate with people and help support people in finding solutions,” Rittelmeyer said. “Steps that they can take to make the environment better even if it’s just locally.”

Rittelmeyer is a big user of “Buy Nothing” groups on Facebook. She finds it a great way to support the circular economy.

“Instead of people going out and buying something, maybe your neighbor has it,” Rittelmeyer said. “They’re not using it. It’s just taking space in their house and they will give it to you. It’s a great way to let people know that there’s resources out there. This is a great way to save money and not create additional waste.

Like Canepa, Rittelmeyer plans to take more time to just regularly sit and assess.

“This is probably really the first year I’ve really had a strong desire or need for resolutions,” Rittelmeyer said. “Before, it was always like to wake up early and go to the gym at 6 a.m. or eat healthy. This is the first time I’ve really thought more intentionally about how I want my neighborhood and my environment to be healthier and how I can be intentional about making that happen.”