Write a story in the form of a list of New Year's resolutions.

Posted in Adults on Dec 29, 2023

Submissions are closed

Sorry, we are not accepting submissions for this prompt as it is not part of an active contest. Make sure you don't miss our next contest by creating your free Reedsy Prompts account.

Or create a new Reedsy account:

Why not check out our active contest?

✍️ 54 stories

“Monster Goals” by AnneMarie Miles

Submitted to Contest #231

To the human living above me, I'd like to propose some changes.It’s been a year since you issued me your set of rules, and in that year, I’ve complied. You’re still alive, aren’t you? Your dog is still alive, yes? And if you’d bothered to check under your bed once in awhile, you’d know that it’s the cleanest it’s ever been (turns out dust bunnies and ants and snack crumbs make a delicious meal, thanks for that suggestion, by the way). Overall, I think I’ve made a really great monster-under-the-bed, and I do hope you'd agree.Now, I know one o...

36 comments 36

Read story

“This Year. . .” by Katharine Widdows

Submitted to Contest #231

1997This year will be a spectacular success to be celebrated in decades to come - it will form the solid, reliable bedrock of my wholesome future. I resolve to achieve a first-class average grade, to set me up for a first-class honours degree in three years time. I don't think I did too well last semester so I will aim for 80% this semester to improve my marks. To achieve this, I will not drink any alcohol for the next six months. I will attend 100% of my lectures and get up at 5am to prepare for them. I will type up all of my lecture notes ...

25 comments 25

Read story

“New Year, Same Me” by Martin Harp

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #231

New Year’s Resolutions 2023 2024I, Ryan, am writing this list of 2023 2024 New Year’s Resolutions to get my ass in gear. If I put it on paper, I guess I might be able to manifest them a little bit better? You know, speak them into existence or whatever Lynda tried to tell me. I am reusing my list from last year, with some modifications, because let’s face it, I didn’t accomplish a goddamn thing in 2023. Not with everything that happened. Although, I am still breathing which says enough in and of itself.1. Keep the apar...

12 comments 12

Read story

“The Final List” by Nancy Dalle

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #231

I yawn, trying not to close my eyes. It’s three thirty in the morning, I’m tired, I’m sick, this job was a bad one, this one did not go as planned. Now here I am, driving down this obscure, dark, bleak road, in the middle of nowhere USA, trying to find a place where I can clean up. As I turn the curve, I see this old, dilapidated building a little way down on the right. Pulling into the gravel lot, I look around and of course no one is out currently. I’ll take a chance.&nb...

13 comments 13

Read story

“Shakespearean New Year's Resolutions” by Kristin Johnson

⭐️ Shortlisted for Contest #231

HAMLET1. Finally answer the question of "to be or not to be."2. Kill Claudius, forsooth.3. Finally go to Wittenberg for art school.4. Convince Ophelia to run away with me to art school.5. Whatever I do, do not fight a duel with Laertes.6. Avoid getting involved in pointless wars.7. If I see my father's ghost, seek a grief counselor.HAMLET'S FATHER'S GHOSTConvince Hamlet to avenge my ...

28 comments 28

Read story

“Resolutions for a New Hare” by Story Time

Submitted to Contest #231

I’ve decided that I’m a little too competitive.In the new year, I’d like to be less competitive. I’d also like to win more races. Not because I’m going to be competitive, because I won’t be, or, at the very least, I’ll be less competitive, but ideally, I won’t be competitive at all, and so competitiveness will have nothing to do with the fact that I will absolutely dominate every race I enter.Less cutthroat enthusiasm, more trophies.More winning.And so I am resolved.I’d like to befriend more tortoises. I currently have no tortoise friends, a...

22 comments 22

Read story

“Moving On” by Wendy M

Submitted to Contest #231

CW Mention of deathMy New Year's resolutions.Margery underlined the words, then went over them again with her black biro, as though making the words more dominant would make them harder to refute. She sat at the dining table, with a mat under her writing pad to not scratch the wood. You can't do anything important in a comfortable chair, or in slippers, she thought.1 Take down all the cards, before twelfth night.I’m being organised, Margery told herself, not ungrateful. There weren't that many cards, not as many as she'd expected, although e...

20 comments 20

Read story

“Being Better, One Cranberry at a Time” by Claire Marsh

Submitted to Contest #231

Number 1 - Stop holding grudgesSome random woman in a supermarket blocked the dried fruit and wouldn’t move. It was a week before Christmas, I was stressed, supposed to be working full-time, shopping, hosting, planning, preparing, wrapping, being civil, having good will, being happy, not stabbing people’s faces with sporks in the queue for fish and chips. I had my niece, Whisper (yes, I told my sister it’s a stupid name, especially when shouted), in tow. But they’re excuses, I know that my behaviour was extreme and entirely my responsibility...

19 comments 19

Read story

“Best Intentions” by Murray Burns

Submitted to Contest #231

Best IntentionsEditor's note: The Reedsy format wasn't receptive to the Word cross-outs, so this may appear a bit messy in places.)December 31, 2023Resolutions for the New Year- The beginning of a new and improved Herb Farkowski. 1. Lose 20 15 10 5 pounds by July 1st October 1st December 31st, 2024.- Accomplish this daring feat with fat-free fat-reduced not all-fat die...

9 comments 9

Read story

“T'was Three Nights” by Myranda Marie

Submitted to Contest #231

T’was three nights before New Years, and I decided it’s time to write my resolutions and this year make them rhyme. Is there a task so fulfilling, as that of resolve? The future’s so thrilling, my list I’ll evolve. Searching my mind, and the depths of my soul, to change for the better, this time, I know. The instantaneous edification washes over me, as I prepare to become self-aware, leaving behind 2023. I feel so empowered, so fresh and renewed, as I pen all my promises of goals to pursue. First, I will promise myself to take much bet...

17 comments 17

Read story

“New Year and New Lies” by Kimberly Walker

Submitted to Contest #231

New Year and New Lies Every year, I list resolutions on New Year's Eve. Usually, I only try five, hoping to manage all, but I break at least one within a month. I know it's not just me. Living up to the resolutions we set is tricky. My list is always the same: 1. Save at least $1000 2. Lose at least 15 lbs. 3. Get organized 4. Call friends and family when they pop into my mind 5....

8 comments 8

Read story

“The Trouble with Resolutions” by Michelle Oliver

Submitted to Contest #231

***Content warning, Adult Themes***One glass1) Lose weight.(You need to make your goals specific and measurable.)(OK, how’s this then?)1a) Join Weight Watchers—Actually follow the program this time.1b) Lose 10 kilos by Christmas, (that’s less than 1 kilo a month, that’s doable right?)1c) Keep the weight off this time.(How are you going to manage that?)(With my second resolution.)2) Join a gym.(Specific and measurable, remember.)(***sigh***)2a) Pay for a year’s membership at Fitness First Gym.2b) Sign up for two classes per week.2c) Sign Kels...

17 comments 17

Read story

“NY Resolution: How to be Cool 2024” by Stevie Burges

Submitted to Contest #231

Hi Both,As the year draws to a close, it's that time again - time to jot down our resolutions. I'll be honest; I've never been too keen on this task. But this year, why not share my vision for a dazzling 2024 with you both?Resolution 1: Unleash the New MeReinvent me entirely. How hard could it be? Isn't that what resolutions are all about?Resolution 2: The Eternal Diet StruggleWhy is it that every New Year, I find myself chanting the same mantra - go on a diet? It's like my excess weight only becomes visible with the turning of the calendar....

5 comments 5

Read story

“67 Resolutions To Follow After Your Funeral” by Jody S

Submitted to Contest #231

After your funeral, I hereby resolve to do (or not do) the following 67 things...one to commemorate every year of your miserable life:1. Attend fewer funerals, unless it is HERS, then wear that new red dress and matching heels I bought the day after your funeral.2. When no one is looking, dance on her grave.3. If she doesn’t die soon, occasionally leave bags of the Snoopster’s poop on ...

10 comments 10

Read story

“Dear Journal” by Bettina Karpathian

Submitted to Contest #231

January 1, 2024, I hereby resolve:· To go to the gym four times a week. (Resolutions look so cool when written by fountain pen!)· To stop procrastinating and wasting time scrolling online.· To keep my diary every day. It’s therapeutic, or so they say.· To clean out closets and get rid of stuff I don’t need.· To not shop for new clothes unless essential since the world is bein...

6 comments 6

Read story

Load more stories

🌟 Similar prompts

Write about a character who has reinvented themselves, but realizes it's not always easy to outrun your past.

Character – 62 stories

Write a story about hope.

Short Story – 78 stories

Write about someone trying something completely new.

Character – 35 stories

Set your story on New Year's Day.

Holiday – 50 stories

Contest #231

Enter our weekly contest!

This week's theme: A New Leaf

$250

Prize money

279

Contest entries

110

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Jan 05, 2024 EST

Won by Mary Lynne Schuster 🏆

Title: No Junior League

View details

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

We'll send you 5 prompts each week. Respond with your short story and you could win $250!

Menu

CONNECT

BLOG

APPS

TOOLS

ABOUT

Write a story in the form of a list of New Year's resolutions.

Submissions are closed

✍️ 54 stories

“Monster Goals” by AnneMarie Miles

“This Year. . .” by Katharine Widdows

“New Year, Same Me” by Martin Harp

“The Final List” by Nancy Dalle

“Shakespearean New Year's Resolutions” by Kristin Johnson

“Resolutions for a New Hare” by Story Time

“Moving On” by Wendy M

“Being Better, One Cranberry at a Time” by Claire Marsh

“Best Intentions” by Murray Burns

“T'was Three Nights” by Myranda Marie

“New Year and New Lies” by Kimberly Walker

“The Trouble with Resolutions” by Michelle Oliver

“NY Resolution: How to be Cool 2024” by Stevie Burges

“67 Resolutions To Follow After Your Funeral” by Jody S

“Dear Journal” by Bettina Karpathian

🌟 Similar prompts

Write about a character who has reinvented themselves, but realizes it's not always easy to outrun your past.

Write a story about hope.

Write about someone trying something completely new.

Set your story on New Year's Day.

Contest #231

Enter our weekly contest!

$250

Prize money

279

Contest entries

110

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: