2026 NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

I have never made N Y resolutions. I just think about them in my head but realise I could never put them into practice so don't bother.
As to buying a replacement car, be very very careful, learning a new car is difficult. I found I gave up on a replacement after my test drive.

I am planning to take a deep breath and push myself into joining a local club. I'm 83, desperately shy and lonely, so unfortunately, I doubt whether I can pluck up the courage.

I'm planning on actually using some of the many cookery books I own rather than go on with the same old boring meals that I've been cooking for the last few years. I'm going to do meal plans with linked shopping lists

Aww Dottydots I’m sending virtual hugs and strength to enable you to push forward with joining a local club. Sorry you feel lonely and being shy imagine it’s soo difficult to contemplate doing this… so wonder if a close nice neighbour might escort you? I find it very challenging to ask for help:/ support in most situations .. so sending you positive vibes🤞🤞

Having literally just received a new debit card, I can now foresee complicated dealing with companies that have my now out of date card info, SO my resolution is to make a list of all the companies that I can think of, and other bodies that have my details,, then start informing them of the change. YUK!!

albertina

I lost a dear friend of 55 years just before Christmas. She was the healthiest of all of us. She was told she had sciatica and that even more walking than she already did would help. What she actually had was bone cancer and she died really quickly after finally getting a correct diagnosis.

For that reason I am going to work hard to stay well, double check any diagnosis I get for anything and stay in touch with her dear little Granddaughter who doesn't understand where Grandma is.

That is very sad and I’m so sorry. My mum also had a wrong ‘bad back’ diagnosis a few years ago and died shortly after from a rare blood cancer.
I’m sure your friend’s little granddaughter will be a great comfort to you and her family.

Bea65, I really do sympathise. I am planning to change my car this year - I am a competent and confident driver generally. I still drive around 10k miles per year, on all manner of roads. I would happily set off to drive a couple of hundred miles, and to new/different places. But I quail at the very thought of a test drive, driving a car that doesn't belong to me, with a complete stranger in the passenger seat.

It will be lovely to have a nice new(er) car though.....I am convincing myself that the gain will outweigh the pain. You can do this - just as I can. Just take as much time as you need in the car before pulling off - the sales person will not be in a rush - they are not there to test your driving skill - they want to sell you the car and will do everything they can to support you. Remember that you only need to use the basic controls for a test drive (clutch, gears, brake and accelerator). You will have plenty of time to become familiar with the whereabouts of all of the lights, wipers, heater, radio etc once the car is yours.

My mum went through this after DD died, when she was 89! The sales staff were lovely and patient, everywhere we went. She tried out about 6 different cars before she decided on the one she wanted. The staff got the car out of its parking spot into a clear space on the forecourt, and reparked it afterwards. So all she had to do was some very straightforward driving, albeit on unfamiliar (to her) roads. And she is still driving her lovely little bright red Suzuki Swift.

yogagran

I'm planning on actually using some of the many cookery books I own rather than go on with the same old boring meals that I've been cooking for the last few years. I'm going to do meal plans with linked shopping lists

I have a shelf of lovely cookbooks Yogagran - I thought I might try to cook my way through a couple instead of just sticking to the one or two favourites I tend to use atm. (Either that, or I should just clear them all out.....)

I rarely bother any more, but this year have resolved to go swimming twice a week, to get at least part of my money’s worth from my David Lloyd sub.
Starting next week….

I don’t make any New Year resolutions, but throughout the year, if I set my mind to do something or try something new, I do my best to follow it through.

I’m not convinced that this is the right time of year to set resolutions which involve some kind of deprivation (eg not eating certain food, not drinking) because it is so dark, cold and dismal and therefore just too tempting to fall back into old habits for comfort. The lighter nights and warmer weather are probably a better time to make resolutions perhaps.

I don't bother any more.

Lahlah65 you’ve inspired me to book some test drives … am very isolated without a car and family not geographically close…

Fabulous your Mom is still driving her Suzuki Swift - maybe I should test drive one👌

Not to discuss anything political

GrannyGravy13

I am going to say yes to things I want to do, but are slightly scared.

I am going to say no to things I just do not want to do!

I decided to say yes to things in 2023. I found that I had to say 'yes' quickly, before I talked myself out of things. And sometimes I did wonder what I had got myself into.

Highlights of the year included a trip to a sea shanty festival in St Ives in November and a one day workshop in lime plaster modelling (pargetting)! I also invited people to stay, and took DM on a flight to Belfast to visit family. It was the first time she had flown in about 20 years.

I've been making the same NY's resolution for the past 50+ years. That is 'not to make NY's resolutions'. So far I've managed to achieve that.

Witzend

I rarely bother any more, but this year have resolved to go swimming twice a week, to get at least part of my money’s worth from my David Lloyd sub.
Starting next week….

Oh ive done this s few times and then lost confidence to go 😁

Best of luck,Dottydots. It is very hard but do try.I did last year and now I have 3 new friends.x

I’ve just made one this year. Every day when I’m at home I’m going to do one of my procrastitasks. It’s a long list. So far so good.

🫂

My Number One NY resolution is to clear out at least 50% of my clothes - I can't believe the rail in my wardrobe hasn't snapped in two by now!
And I want to meditate more (ideally daily). And start Pilates once a week.

Casdon

I’ve just made one this year. Every day when I’m at home I’m going to do one of my procrastitasks. It’s a long list. So far so good.

procrastitasks
Oh what a great name!!

This could keep me going for some time 😁

To start driving again. Haven't driven for over a year as every time I've decided to again I've been ill again with another chest infection.
To put on weight as I'm not eating enough as I have a poor appetite
To go for a walk every day when the weather improves and it's not so cold.
To finish my knitted blanket
To clean one room at a time thoroughly including decluttering

It’s a very English custom. I was brought up more French than English, and things like Christmas stockings and NY resolutions never came up.
Personally, I think they are pointless. If you want to improve your life, you can do it in February or October, it doesn’t matter. (Now put tin hat on!)

Mind you, the last five years have been pretty dreadful, both emotionally and financially. I have decided that 2026 will be fantastic!

What type of club is it Dottydots ?

My New Year resolution is to read 49 books this year. I will need to read one book a week for the year. I decided on less than 52 to allow for any colds (which I hope I don't get but I had three different bouts last year which wiped me out).

So far, so good with the resolution. I'm on course to finish my current book by next Thursday.