New Year’s in July

Eli and Tammy

A New Year’s Resolution Success Story.

New Year’s Resolutions are often repeat pursuits and thought destined-to-fail. Amateur night, right? Maybe because a result is desired without a roadmap or real interest beyond that result.

My 2025 resolution has not only become a lifestyle, the journey has brought me so much unexpected joy, connection and insight.

It started as a simple wish. I wanted my hands to look better.

I touch people all day long as a body worker. My nails had ridges, splits and cracked cuticles. I always wanted to hide them, but I need them front and center.

Manicures, as I’d known them, lasted a day. My lifestyle of gym workouts, motorcycles and bicycles, handling big dogs and big birds, hadn’t made beautiful hands possible. What’s a girl to do… I thought?

Manicures these days, however, have toughened up. Shellac, gel, powder, and so on, are options that ward off the splits and cracks, cover the ridges, and are indestructible!

So, December 31st 2024 I had my first powder manicure experience. My manicurist was a young man named Eli. I marveled at the process. The tools were like the Dremel tools I once used to carve designs into wood. My love for arts and crafts was fully engaged!

After trying a few different manicurists I returned to Eli regularly. He’s my favorite. He’s first generation Chinese. He came to America at 14-years old with his mom, after his dad died.

Eli’s mom couldn’t find work in China to support them both. And, with China’s one child law, and the Chinese prioritizing sons and adopting daughters out of the country, there were few young women for Eli’s future happiness.

This story, of how a widowed Chinese woman came to America to make a better life for her son, fascinated me. How brave she was! My manicures became story-time, even though we sometimes struggle with language to be understood.

His mom, a manicurist, taught Eli, now 25-years old, her trade. Now he has made it his own.

Every 3-4 weeks we sit across a small table to craft beautiful new nails for me, gifting me pause from the demands of my world; while in exchange, I teach Eli new English words and learn the life of an immigrant.

His American journey and beautifying my nails have become an ongoing story that integrates both our wishes to look good and feel better.

It’s been a resolution more meaningful than I could have ever imagined. Because there was a roadmap to get started, and a real interest in what was unknown until I began the journey.

As an old biker-chick, I still say, “It’s about the journey, not the destination.”And, more to the point of your next resolution, “A destination is an excuse to journey!”

Share a New Year’s Resolution story that inspires commitment and resolve here!