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

“Dinosaurs” by Joe Smallwood

Submitted to Contest #231

I had such a hard time at the funeral. My mom, God rest her soul. Now I just feel so empty, wandering around this empty house with piles of old things waiting to be thrown out. You hardly know what to keep and what to ditch. I’m scared that I will throw out things that matter to me. Even though I have forgotten what they are!I hated school. But I saw this grade 3 assignment that I did with Ms. Woodrow before she went on sick leave so long ago. Was it twenty years ago? Ran into it at the bottom of a pile of elementary school things. By no mea...

8 comments 8

Read story

“Cheers to Resolutions” by Kathleen Jessup

Submitted to Contest #231

As far as last year’s resolutions went, there was never a truer intention of fulfilling the unattainable dream. Yet, by mid-January, those intentions had all but flown out the window. I kicked myself; I should have known setting such things would only lead to misery. It’s just a diligently practiced act, consistently attended from one year to another, anyway. I settle amongst the pillows on the couch, glass of wine in one hand, Doritos in the other. Comfort food for the soul, I call it. But I knew it would be my undoing, dismissively brush...

2 comments 2

Read story

“SOFT OR HARD” by Charles Corkery

Submitted to Contest #231

SOFT OR HARD? The longest stake out I ever did lasted 72 hours but it was partly Donna’s fault. She doesn’t make many errors but she screwed up on the arrival date of my target and had me there a day sooner than necessary. Still, three whole days in one spot, sucks! In fact, this entire way of living sucks. I want out but I’ve been saying that for a while.I’m able to drift off in my mind while remaining on full alert, something I’ve mastered over the years. Sometimes, I’ll imagine I’m a pro fighter scrapping my way through different opponent...

5 comments 5

Read story

“Resolution(s)” by Karen Kinley

Submitted to Contest #231

Like most people, a new year is a good time to take stock of one’s life and make some necessary changes. My dream is simple: to find a little peace amid the chaos. But if the world has taught me anything, it’s that dreams often come true in ways we could never imagine.1. GET ORGANIZED.I spend the morning going through my belongings. Like most women, I have a closet full of shoes and various styles of clothing, many of which I haven’t touched in a while. Clearly, I have a hard time throwing things away. But since I can only take es...

4 comments 4

Read story

“Un-Resolutions” by Nivedita Shori

Submitted to Contest #231

Un-ResolutionsNumber 1. I will take a rain-check. Niya lifted her right eyebrow, making sure she had heard her grandma correctly. The petite, silver-haired woman continued speaking dreamily, her dainty, crinkly hands holding an aged journal, open on a page with fading, but still beautiful handwriting. The afternoon sun sneaked its rays onto the duo — showing itself, making it clear this was not just a party of two — and fell directly on the words “New Year Resolutions”. It was not a conversation. Niya knew it was a dictation. The once ...

2 comments 2

Read story

“The Last Day of the Worst Year of My Life” by Chris Riffle

Submitted to Contest #231

December 31st. Every year, the last day of the worst year of my life. A new chance to make the following rotation around the sun the one that turns things around. One single year marginally better than the last and I can tell – I know – the ones that follow will only get better and better until each year is the best year of my life.And so this year, rather than tell them to my mom on one of our maybe five phone calls for the year and then forgetting about them until the following December, I have decided to write down my New Year’s resolutio...

4 comments 4

Read story

“Twilight Promises” by Erika Darling

Submitted to Contest #231

Annie asks me if I want to go for a ride in the car. She should know by now she really doesn’t have to ask. I jump off the couch, sprint to the door, and look back at her. Annie laughs, which is by far my favorite sound. It’s even better than the sound of the fridge door opening and my dish being put on the counter. She opens the car door and straps me in. Annie likes to talk to me in the car. As she drives, she informs me the year is now “twenty twenty four” and it’s a good time to make our “reslooshuns” for the new year. Annie says for her...

7 comments 7

Read story

“Last Roll of the Dice” by James Maxwell

Submitted to Contest #231

New Year’s Resolutions - 2024 #1 - Quit drinking Why: This is the root of a lot of these problems, it can all be traced back to the booze. Money problems come from spending too much in the pub. Health problems come from all the extra calories from all the beers, the junk food when I’m drunk, and the effects of the alcohol itself. Not to mention that Courtney never liked how I acted when I was drunk. How: Maybe go to some meetings with Paul, he’s 6 years sober. Find other activities or hobbies to keep myself busy. Watch the football at hom...

1 comment 1

Read story

“Mastering the New Year's Resolutions” by Ana M

Submitted to Contest #231

Today is the last day of the old year. I got up early and made a larger cup of coffee. I opened my journal and took out a pink pen. My intention is to write the New Year's resolutions. If for nothing else, so that at the end of next year, I can see all the things I haven't managed to accomplish. And all that, if I endure yet another year, which, by the way, has an additional day than the one passing. 1.Survive Another Year of Awkward Family Gatherings: Smile through the cringe-worthy moments, nod, and pretend you've got it all together.&nb...

2 comments 2

Read story

“I kept my resolutions because of her” by Mister Skulk

Submitted to Contest #231

They say you’re more likely to do something if you write it down. Maybe I just should’ve written things down earlier. Every year I make resolutions as December draws to a close. Every year, I inevitably give up on them. I know what you’re thinking, but it wasn’t my fault every time. There was that resolution I made about seeing more people in 2020 and…well, we know how that year turned out. I ended up seeing some people over the last couple of years, but it just never turned into anything serious. They’d always turn o...

1 comment 1

Read story

“Sweaty Strangers” by RJ Kerr

Submitted to Contest #231

Research gyms in the area.Become overwhelmed by amenities.Check budget.Make spreadsheet.What’s the point of a sauna?Look up purpose of a sauna.Socialize with sweaty strangers in a hot box? No.Massage chairs? Yes. Hot tub? Yes.Pool? No.Realize pool and hot tub are a package deal.Fine. Yes to the pool.Classes? Not a chance.Wait, included with membership.Analyze spreadsheet and pick a favorite.Work up courage to visit the gym. Make excuses not to go.Realize everyone in the photos looks on-trend and fit. Question how Gen Z works o...

3 comments 3

Read story

“New Year's Possibilities” by Andi Leitz

Submitted to Contest #231

Diary of Andi LeitzJanuary 1, 2024New Year's Resolutions Goals PossibilitiesLearn to sew.Remember when you were a kid and you stepped on a needle because it was dropped on a dark carpet in the basement?Buy sewing machine.Learn to use sewing machine.Sew a quilt for Mom for Mother's Day.How much fabric do I need for a queen-sized bed? How do you sew in the batting again?Look up quilting on YouTube. ✓Crochet scrubbies for everyone for Christmas.Buy scrubby and cotton yarn.Look up patternsGet started in July.Realize it only takes an hour to make...

4 comments 4

Read story

“My 2024 Resolutions” by E. K. Rebeles

Submitted to Contest #231

My 2024 resolutions Theme for 2024: Love and joy Relationships: Michael: Sexual: Have sex at least once a week Give him surprise oral at least once a month Send the kids to our parents for our monthly sex day Intellectual: Finish writing our book together Start developing our new tracking app Take an Arabic class together with the kids Adventure: At least one romantic getaway without the kids Monthly date days with new activities Go cycling weekly Connection: Quarterly happiness sur...

1 comment 1

Read story

“Brand New Hannah” by Shinga Shinga

Submitted to Contest #231

Warning: Strong LanguageEntry Number: 365Of: December 31, 2023Time: 22:45On: Chatbot Diary, Version 3.1.2 ©2023Hey Diary.Hey girl.You ready to know what I been thinking about all day today?Dick?No.No? You sure about that?I mean, besides that.Umm, I don't know then. Please enlighten.That there's years you completely forget about, ain't there? Years that even the likes of poor Diary can't help you reminisce. That's what.Oh, come on now girl. You don't know me well enough. We just met.The lady doth protest too much, me thinks. I've kept you bet...

0 comments 0

Read story

“#4 - Floss Daily” by Heather Burkett

Submitted to Contest #231

December 31st, 2023 Happy New Year’s Eve! What a wonderful time for fresh starts and new beginnings! I am really looking forward to starting over in 2024 – THIS IS MY YEAR! I know if I want to achieve my dreams, I have to go big or go home, but I can do this! 1. Cut all complex carbohydrates and refined sugars. 2. Exercise for an hour daily. 3. Use my new 5-step skincare routine nightly. 4. Floss every m...

1 comment 1

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 – 34 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

278

Contest entries

109

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

“Dinosaurs” by Joe Smallwood

“Cheers to Resolutions” by Kathleen Jessup

“SOFT OR HARD” by Charles Corkery

“Resolution(s)” by Karen Kinley

“Un-Resolutions” by Nivedita Shori

“The Last Day of the Worst Year of My Life” by Chris Riffle

“Twilight Promises” by Erika Darling

“Last Roll of the Dice” by James Maxwell

“Mastering the New Year's Resolutions” by Ana M

“I kept my resolutions because of her” by Mister Skulk

“Sweaty Strangers” by RJ Kerr

“New Year's Possibilities” by Andi Leitz

“My 2024 Resolutions” by E. K. Rebeles

“Brand New Hannah” by Shinga Shinga

“#4 - Floss Daily” by Heather Burkett

🌟 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

278

Contest entries

109

Stories

Win $250 in our short story competition 🏆

Explore more writing prompt ideas: