2026 NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

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.

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.

Not to discuss anything political

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👌

I don't bother any more.

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 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….

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.....)

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.

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.

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!!

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🤞🤞

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 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 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 only have 2 glasses of wine on a Saturday ....stopped eating chocolate, and walk everywhere ...

I don't make them anymore. I just try to be the best and kindest person I can. The trouble is, I get so annoyed with people who are rude, inconsiderate and selfish that it's really difficult sometimes!

I dont make resolutions anymore, I dont see the point now.

Every year was lose weight, do this, do that. I would lose weight, and put it back on. So many pointless years of dieting, struggling, filling the pockets of weight loss clubs.

My health has all acumalated now. Before covid I never took any medication, now I take 9 tablets a day for various things. I keep fobbing doctors off because the gp wants me to go on another tablet and Ive refused. I have high calcium levels and high parathyroid levels.

I just want to enjoy life now and try not to worry about tomorrow. Thats another day. I need to take care of myself and have a good life.
I dont smoke and gave up drinking 10 years ago. Im more clear headed now than I have been for years. I hope to remain so.

Good luck to everyone who made resolutions, go ahead and achieve your goals.

I would suggest to OP who does not feel confident test driving, that you take a few catch up driving lessons or even the advanced driving course first. Not a good idea to drive at all if you are that nervous. When you test drive you have the sales person sitting next to you, which should make you feel confident. They will soon stop you if you do something wrong. Perhaps that should be your New Year resolution.

Resolutions often seem to involve unpleasant endurance tests ( lose weight, clean up house etc) which I think is why we don't do them - I know this is not a revelation to you all!
How about Start a new Hobby, Read more Books, Try a new recipe or Go to a nearby place you haven't been to before?
Hopefully these will distract you from the dreary tasks of weight loss and decluttering.
Those tasks will always be there but with more pleasant distractions you won't mind as much!

Bea65 My car is not 21 years old but considering a newer used one. I’ve always had Fiat Pandas which I love but I’ve moved to the country now and it catches the chassis/middle of lanes. As a suggestion , why not approach a ‘drive buddy’ like a decent ADI tutor to assist in confidence for a test drive?

I don’t do resolutions because I will promptly ignore them.
But I hope others are more successful.

We are both quite regimented and do not require making resolutions.

We are both aware of what we both need to do as a team or individually.

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.

Very sorry about your friend - friends can feel closer than family sometimes in my experience
😢

Never make them.