A Da Vinci Start to the New Year - February Reset

January 11, 2025 -

This year I decided to take some time to decide on how to take on the New Year, waiting a few weeks to get serious about plans for 2026. I'm channeling Renaissance legend Leonardo da Vinci for inspiration with a different approach to the usual set of resolutions plus a compelling reason why one of your resolutions should be to eat, drink and be merry long after Christmas has passed!

February 26, 2025 -

Beginning a New Year is no small task. Making annual promises to improve or change is not easy especially when your resolution model is Leonardo da Vinci. I recently read that reviewing your New Year's resolutions in February is a good practice because it allows you to assess your progress after the enthusiasm of January has worn off.

I don’t know for certain if da Vinci made New Year’s resolutions but if he did, based on the book How to Think like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day, they might have included the following.

• Develop a curious approach to life and an unrelenting quest for continuous learning.

• Practice persistence and worry less about getting things done and remember that everything leads to a greater understanding even the things that are begun and unfinished.

• Develop a positive attitude. Learn from mistakes and aim for progress but letting go of perfection. 

• Simplify and remember that “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”.

• Stay active physically and mentally spending time in nature for that is what stimulates neural connections that activate healthy behaviors and actions.

• Avoid anger and grievous moods and keep your mind cheerful. Practice poise and grace.

• Do not worry about pleasing other people if it becomes more important than our own health and self-care goals.

• Making dining a pleasurable and sensual experience and stop eating just before you feel full.

• Find your purpose by looking at your life vision, values and goals from a holistic perspective so that you can integrate them into your whole self.

• Temper logic with imagination; work with play; problem solving with creativity.

• Cultivate your senses and reflect on their enjoyment. 

• Make an action plan with visuals and text for continuous improvement and measure your progress.

Most of the bullet points for a da'Vinci start to the New Year are a work in progress but I know from my experiences traveling in Italy with our Italian family and friends one resolution should be prioritized because it fosters health and well-being; connectiveness and sociability. Studies show that the more often people eat with others the more likely they are to feel happy and satisfied with their lives (Oxford University).

Da Vinci feels that it is important to "make dining a pleasurable experience" and approached it with a philosophy of moderation, simplicity, and sensory awareness, viewing it as a practice for maintaining both physical health and well-being.

Foto attribution -Tablecloth Claude Homes la sardinade

Based on notes found in da' Vinci's Codex Atlanticus, a collection of his drawings and writings, housed at the Biblioteca Ambrosiana in Milan, it is recommended that whatever we eat or drink should bring health to the body and joy to our day and if you can do so with others so much the better. He talks about making dining a pleasurable and healthy experience. Setting an attractive table in a comfortable, well-ventilated space, avoiding "stuffy air" with flowers and music to make the meal a calm and enjoyable experience. Consuming wine in moderation, enjoying conversations and welcoming thoughts from like-minded friends and new acquaintances while dipping his bread in the pungent, fruity Tuscan oil.

So as the year progresses resolve to invite someone to share a meal. Making time to plan a shared meal is a worthy New Year's resolution. Something we can do for our own health and well-being that can benefit others as well. A good resolution for a February reset.