Patricia Johns

I’ve always hated New Year’s resolutions. I loathed them. I figured that if I was going to do something worthwhile, I would simply do it. If I’m not, I’m not going to guilt myself about it by solemnly resolving to do planks every day or something else equally miserable.

But it occurred to me recently that New Year’s resolutions don’t have to hurt! Someone posted online saying they were going to try a whole bunch of new pastas in the next year. The year before they’d resolved to try all sorts of different fruits. Now, that sounds fun!

So in the spirit of FUN resolutions, I have some ideas you might like to choose from!

1. Sample as many different pastas as you can in the next calendar year. (You could do breads, desserts, pies, chocolates, fruits, coffee flavors, potato chip flavors, teas… Just pick something great and commit!)
   
2. Read two (three? four? ten?) books a month just because they look fantastic! Forget what is considered important or required reading. Read a certain number of frivolous, fun books every single month just because they look like a good time.
   
3. Take one full day off every week to properly rest. No gym requirements. No obligations. Just you doing whatever is restful for you for one day every week. Feet up. Phone in hand. Maybe just watching TV! Whatever works. I’m positive it’s good for your health!
   
4. Renew your wardrobe. Buy one item of clothing every single month that you love! Doesn’t have to be expensive. It can just be a sweater on sale, or a package of nice quality socks. But if you commit for a year, at the end of that year, you’ve got some nice staples in your closet to work with! Plus, it’s fun to look forward to.
   
5. Visit with someone you like. I’m not talking about making new friends, I’m talking about choosing one person you already like every month, and making a commitment to getting together. It can be a different person every month, but have some fun social contact to look forward to. January might your aunt. February might be a friend of yours. March might be your dad. April might be a coworker who keeps inviting you out for coffee. Make it fun!
   
6. Stop looking at the scale! For a whole year, try to make healthy choices, but refuse to measure it with a scale. Do you feel good? Perfect. Do your clothes fit? Very nice! Is your body functioning the way it’s supposed to? That’s ideal! A whole year without answering to a scale. That might be freeing!
   
7. Watch reruns of a show you love. All the seasons, all the episodes, one calendar year. Do the math–how many do you need to watch every week? Twist your arm, right? And if you finish all of them before December, pat yourself on the back for a job well done!
   
8. Add to your collection. What do you collect? Stamps? Coins? Paper dolls? Miniatures? Bobble heads? Porcelain buffalos? Commit to adding one item to your collection each month. Think of the fun you’ll have shopping for it, and finding the perfect addition to your collection every single month!
   
9. Be encouraging to someone else! Sometimes when we’re having a tough time, it helps to reach out and encourage someone else. Plus, by making someone else feel brighter, we are putting more good into the world. So why not make a monthly or even a weekly commitment to find one person who needs an encouraging word and provide it? Send a note, an email, a Facebook comment. People will remember how good you made them feel.
   
10. Give a compliment! This one is free, and it can really boost someone’s day. You could do this every day when you go into work, or once a week, or once a day when you go onto social media. But find one person, and give a heartfelt compliment. Does her hair look great? Tell her! Do you love that sweater? Let her know! Do you think it’s fantastic that he’s trying to be a runner for the first time in his fifties? Tell him straight! The more you compliment, the easier it gets, and it gives your target such a boost in confidence. Be that person in 2025. 🙂

Do you have any ideas for painless, fun resolutions for 2025? There’s got to be a hundred other resolution possibilities that would be fun and good for both you and the people around you.

Let’s make 2025 a year of happiness and joy.

And if you think it would bring you some happiness, check out my books! You just might find your next relaxing read filled with Amish romance, close families, and hopeful, happy endings!

Happy reading!

❤