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

Posted in Adults on Dec 29, 2023

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✍️ 54 stories

“Life Beyond the Kids” by T. B. Spruiells

Submitted to Contest #231

Have you ever listened to parents with kids? For almost twenty years, they talk about everything they will do once the kiddos graduate—travel the world, become an exotic photographer, learn Mandarin Chinese, go to college—then, crickets. They find themselves settled in a recliner, waiting for grandkids, moving towards retirement, and, finally, death. Some stave off the inevitable by popping out a few more bambinos who end up the same age as their aunts and uncles. Still, eventually, a dimpled bottom and weekend trips to Costco are at the end...

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“Ian, my robot, my friend…” by Perla Horn

Submitted to Contest #231

Ian, do you think I am a nice person? Always to me, he looked surprised as why I am asking him these questions. Have you ever hear me swearing? Absolutely no. Did I say something wrong and you need to…well yell at me, Mia? Ian, you are the sweetest, caring …I paused because I watched Ian opening his mouth to say something. Did you meant …man? Ian, you know you are a robot…but I would love to say you are way beyong that. You are the most respectful, affectionate,&...

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“Six Resolutions” by Emily M. Reiser

Submitted to Contest #231

Mia’s calves were burning as she approached her third mile on the treadmill. She had always told herself she needed to put her gym membership to use but it wasn’t until the past few months that she felt motivated enough to go. She spent too long behind a desk and it was starting to get the better of her. Now she had a purpose. The rest of the 24/7 workout center was empty. Mia had her pick of treadmills and she chose the one positioned right in front of the clock on the wall. 11:59 Mia forgot about the pain building in her muscles as she ...

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“Mrs. Robinson's List” by Patricia Merewether

Submitted to Contest #231

Attorney Robert Wainright began opening his mail on a Sunday morning, after church. The office was quiet then and he used the time to catch up on paperwork. He picked up a letter from Mrs. Herb Robinson, who'd died only a few days earlier. He'd go to her funeral. It was sad, she was ninety-two, so her death wasn't shocking. To be opened after my death. The cover letter merely stated: To Whom It May Concern: November 20, 1982 After my release from the Mental Health Facility, in the 1980's my therapist suggested that I make plans a...

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“New Years Resolutions” by Leah Dewey

Submitted to Contest #231

One. I knew this was going to be it. I wouldn’t have any more opportunities after this. I built up my willpower and forced the door open. It smelt like ink and men’s cologne, the faint sound of buzzing made me shiver. “How can I help you?” asked a woman behind the counter. She was chewing gum like it was some sort of punishment. Her blue eyes glittered behind the thick, black liner and piercings through her upper nose area. She reminded me a little of the Klingons with the divides up their forehead. “I’m looking to get a tatt...

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“what went wrong.” by Lara Deppe

Submitted to Contest #231

What went wrong in 2023. chronologically. Irritated in January. Cold weather and hat hair. Not enough lotion in the world for my knuckles. Holiday hips from the Christmas splurges. And maybe the Thanksgiving and New Year splurges too. Commuting in the dark – both ways. Pajama nights that start at 6pm. Huge eye roll at the NYR (New Year Resolutions) that won’t last until the end of the month. Rent went up by $126. Cutting out the morning coffee to save pennies, making me a threat at the office pre-10am. My car, Tin Can, is starting to scre...

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“The Diary of Lady Isobel Crane - January 1, 1885” by Kat H

Submitted to Contest #231

Resolution 1 – No more murder. It can be said of the last year, when I solved no less than five murders amongst the ton, that the entire business—while invigorating—was quite exhausting. Not to my mental faculties, but to my wardrobe. Subsequently, poor Evans’s constant devotion to washing and mending far exceeded usual duties and has rendered my lady’s maid into a constant state of polite agitation. No. For the sake of poor Evans I must resolve to put this thoroughly sordid business behind me. For example, the Case of the Tiresome Steward...

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“Mauerbauertraurigkeit” by Pumpkin Head

Submitted to Contest #231

Chia’s New Years Resolutions for 2012! Attempt to use positive affirmations Find out what exactly positive affirmations are and why everyone thinks you need them Find a job— preferably full time Try out volunteer work (shelter by our old house?) De-clutter your room (spring cleaning? Mom would appreciate that) New Years Resolutions for 2013 Get that raise! (You deserve more than $9 an hour working in customer service) Learn a new language Stick to a budget Try to make new friends Maybe pick up a hobby (something stress relieving? Painting...

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“The List” by Tricia Shulist

Submitted to Contest #231

THE LIST Shred. Shred. File. Recycle. Shred. Shred. File. Recycle. File. I was up to my eyeballs in paper clutter. I really needed to get a better system than “I’ll deal with that later.” Because by the time later came, I had one hella big mess to deal with. Recycle. Recycle. Shred. Recycle. Shred. It was that magical week between Christmas and New Year’s. I was off work, had burned through Netflix, Disney+, and Prime, and really couldn’t bear to see another person until...

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“(Don't) Cross These Out” by Adam Ray

Submitted to Contest #231

Here we go, the new year. New Year. It's not gonna be easy to change, but I've got to try. Okay. I'll write my new year's New Year's resolutions right here. Is this what people do? I guess it must be, and there's a lot I want to change. Did I need to write all that? Should have just started writing the list. I'll leave it though, but not this for some reason. Drink less Smile more Don't let them know what you're against or what you're for Go to bed the same time every night. Like 11 or something healthy like that Get up at the same time...

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“LET"S DRINK TO 2024 or PERHAPS NOT” by Brian Bywater

Submitted to Contest #231

LET’S DRINK TO 2024, or PERHAPS NOT! Well you did take your time getting here 2024, we have waited twelve months. However I am glad you made it, and that I also made it, even though it was decidedly doubtful at times. Now you are here there are a few items left over from 2023 we need to clear up. No, I am not one of those people getting the first of every month mixed up with New Year’s Eve. I am not here to make a New Year wish. For the most part those are normally people making wishes involving wealth, ostensibly for their self. I c...

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“Killer 2024!” by Michael Moran

Submitted to Contest #231

I resolve to have a great year. I resolve to reduce my sarcasm. I resolve to have the greatest possible year that I can have. I resolve to make an effort making this the greatest possible year I can have. I resolve to put effort into maintaining good relationships with the friends I do have and let past personal conflicts with them be buried. I resolve to try and make friends this year. I resolve not to reach out to my family anymore, trying to see if things can be amended. I resolve to listen to my wife when she says, ...

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“12_29_contest_entry” by L Kuro

Submitted to Contest #231

New Year’s resolutions: 1) Fix up the house and make it homier. Yellow paint would really brighten up the kitchen. Patch up the holes in the drywall. The bedroom door needs to be replaced, the hinges aren’t any good anymore either. Have the smashed furniture hauled away and keep an eye open for good used replacements. Replace all the locks and make sure there are no spare keys anywhere. Deadbolt locks are resistant to forced entry. The French doors by the master bedroom are a problem, add a reinforcement bar and security film. Install a ho...

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“My "New" New Year’s Resolutions” by Martha Sanipe

Submitted to Contest #231

I, Marjorie Dunlop Baines-Rutherford, do hereby resolve that this year I will:1. Change my name. I’ve always disliked Marjorie, which my father chose. He named me after his deceased, sainted grandmother, with whom I was frequently compared and found wanting. Even Mama, my only advocate, could not dissuade him. She was a gentle buffer against my father’s harsh disapproval till her death when I was five.My nickname is even worse, rhyming as it does with “large” and “barge.” Given my plumpness as a teenager, my classmates referred to me as “lar...

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“Thoughts (???) for the New Year” by Edward Brown

Submitted to Contest #231

1. Make No New Year’s Resolutions: Last year I made three serious ones – the kind that change one’s life; and three easy ones – the kind that just make life a bit more fun and comfortable. Didn’t get through any of them. For example, a hard one: Go to the gym every day. Why are New Year’s Resolutions so extreme? Before last New Year’s Day, I went to the gym one day a week. Why not try to be more consistent instead of perfect? That was a hard one and unattainable. The easy one was floss at least twice a week. I don’t have to leave ...

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

Submissions are closed

✍️ 54 stories

“Life Beyond the Kids” by T. B. Spruiells

“Ian, my robot, my friend…” by Perla Horn

“Six Resolutions” by Emily M. Reiser

“Mrs. Robinson's List” by Patricia Merewether

“New Years Resolutions” by Leah Dewey

“what went wrong.” by Lara Deppe

“The Diary of Lady Isobel Crane - January 1, 1885” by Kat H

“Mauerbauertraurigkeit” by Pumpkin Head

“The List” by Tricia Shulist

“(Don't) Cross These Out” by Adam Ray

“LET"S DRINK TO 2024 or PERHAPS NOT” by Brian Bywater

“Killer 2024!” by Michael Moran

“12_29_contest_entry” by L Kuro

“My "New" New Year’s Resolutions” by Martha Sanipe

“Thoughts (???) for the New Year” by Edward Brown

🌟 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: