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#25: Resolutions

Did you know that the ancient Babylonians are reported to have been the first people to make New Year's resolutions? In March, when the crops were planted, a 12-day festival known as Akitu took place. During the festival, the Babylonians made promises to their gods, and believed that if they kept to their word, they would be bestowed good favor in the coming year.

This would have been about 4,000 years ago, and while the format may be different, New Year's resolutions are still going strong!

This week's prompts all revolve around resolutions. Oh, and for that last prompt, check out this blog post for some of the most popular self-help books to inspire you.

🥇 Winner

“10 Things To Do Instead of Writing New Year's Resolutions” by Emily Sperber

1. Hang out with friends Your friends are the kind of people that make New Year’s resolutions. The five of you, too broke to go anywhere, sit around your studio apartment. One has her legs hanging off the arm of the one chair you have. One is sitting next to you on the futon. The others are splayed, their bodies like starfish, on the ground. They use their fingers and each other to remember the resolutions they think of on the spot. Maybe they could actually eat breakfast instead of skipping it or...

50 comments 50 WINNER 🏆

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⭐️ Shortlisted

“An Uncertain Future” by Tori Routsong

The ground isn’t burned beneath your feet. It makes sense that it wouldn’t be—the bombs never came here—but the grass under your toes is deceptive. You sigh, and put your shoes back on. You’ll never admit it, but your mom is right. There’s too much broken glass left over from the riots.Nobody thought it would come here—there hadn’t been a war on American soil since… well, the Civil War, you suppose. Nobody was expecting it, at least. And in true American fashion, the backlash caused uproar throughout the city. More people had been ...

4 comments 4 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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“Creation” by Marte Van Der Linden

He had spent too much time recently thinking about dark matter. How long had it been since he had done something strange, something creative that would twist and turn and blossom and grow? If he carried on like this, he’d burn himself out and disappear. A flash of light, a burst of heat, and then nothing. Like a spark rising from a bonfire.As a student he had crackled with energy. He had spent his days bouncing off the walls and reading everything he could get his hands on. Hardly an hour went by without him learning som...

0 comments 0 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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“New Year’s Restitutions ” by Matt Strempel

She’s late but Christina remains in the Uber. Salim wishes her a happy New Year while he taps away on the phone for his next job. Christina asks if she can just stay a minute longer to hear the end of the song even though it’s the new Ed Sheeran song she can’t stand. She just needs another minute to compose herself. “I’ll give you five stars and the maximum tip if you let me sit here til this song finishes,” she says. Salim squints in frustration but, perhaps sensing her unease, replies, “No problem.” Christina can se...

0 comments 0 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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“Hopeless” by Mitra S

It has been two weeks and I still feel completely devastated. I sit motionless for hours. I can’t eat. This wasn’t my intended diet plan, but I have lost ten pounds. And now I look at myself in the mirror and I am shocked that I hate the thinner me. I wish I could cry but I don’t have the energy for it. I haven’t told anyone about this. I go to work as usual. I sit behind my desk and pretend to be busy, but I don’t do much. My parents called and I ignored it. My mother will be so disappointed when she hears about this. She will even ...

2 comments 2 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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“Failure to Thrive” by Deborah Landers

Winnie's list of New Year's Resolutions was a series of strikes, ranging from tight and controlled to desperate scribbling.Get more exercise. A thick, decisive line in black ink.There were too many people in the gym. The whole point of getting up so early in the morning was to avoid people at the gym. Instead, Winnie had apparently discovered the golden hour for the gym rats. It wasn't packed. She knew she could just as easily slide in next to these people, but there were more eyes than she'd been prepare...

3 comments 3 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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“The Red Rice ” by Mariah Tyndall

For the last 4 years, I’ve measured my success in designer coats. January of every year, the suppressed monster of unreasonable reinvention rears its head and makes me buy a coat. Last year’s coat was orange, it’s predecessor was pink; lavender, white, leather, fuzzy, double-sided, windbreaker, even sleeveless-- some even bought through the year, different in every way exc...

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“Tis the Season” by Dana Schellings

On January first, at eleven fifty-three in the morning, Becky sat down to write her New Year’s resolutions. She’d vowed to have them sorted out before the year began, figuring the best strategy was to hit the ground running. Of course, she’d also vowed not to wake up with a hangover on New Year’s Day, so the year was already off to a bad start. She decided right then and there that she was not going to move from that chair until she came up with at least three – no, five – resolutions. Tossing back a couple of aspirin with a coffee chaser...

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“Anomalies of Recollection” by Arthur Tiberio

On the first year of his travels with the notable Montery June, it had never occurred to the boy that he should keep a journal. His master kept the habit, and he perceived it to be a very popular pastime in certain circles, but he never quite made the connection between the grand slopes of the mountains and golden fields before him, and the groggy feeling, in the back of his mind, that someone ought to be getting this down somewhere, so that it would not be forgotten. He came to regret this very much, later, but that was then.And t...

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“Ambiguous Grief” by Zach Young

The year was 1989. I was born to an optimistic mother and a pessimistic father. It was my father who kept things in balance but I guess it wouldn’t be fair if I said that my mother didn’t do the same. My father. What can I say about my father. Not much to say. It was 2014, in January, the beginn...

2 comments 2 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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“Witches Also Need Self-Help” by Elizabeth Bohr

The book's cover is, to put it simply, annoying. Bright yellow, with what looks like a cartoon version of your least favorite teacher from elementary school. Necromancy For Dummies. Okay, okay. Molly knows that in this day and age, necromancy is a good career choice. It's not like there's any shortage of people who want to see their relatives again (although there's always those who want to bring...

1 comment 1 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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“The Old Ennui: Or, The Refusal to Enjoy Anything” by Leanne Mara

Cole is pleased to admit that he’s never before found himself in the self-help section. Never needed it. Would hate to stoop so low, he thinks, dragging a superior eye over those brushing their fingers over all those bright-coloured titles. He’s not here for self-help. He’s here for help. Because just being in a bookstore will help. The culture of it all. The majesty of the written word, finely curated. He’s lucky he reads. Unlike all those sheeple out there who’ve forgotten how.

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“The Resolution in my Soul” by Elena Welsh

The start of a new year is not a novelty for me anymore. The air that fills lungs with pollution and hope, the echoes of colour illuminating the sky and raucous laughter that reverberates between houses and keeps you awake well past midnight. All of this is familiar to me, worn into the grooves that line my face and flowing in the webs of blue that protrude from my thinning extremities. I once felt such excitement with the coming of another year, a prodigal “new beginning.” I haven’t written a New Year’s resolution in twenty year...

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“New Year’s Resolution ” by James Offenha

It’s January 3rd. I sat down, since I was told to, and started rethinking my New Year’s Resolutions. I went through them one by one and considered whether or not I’d really keep them: I need to convince Mommy and Daddy to take me to the doctor, even though I’m afraid. They’re giving me 2 treats in the morning and since they’ve started doing that, the pain in my legs has gotten better, but it still hurts. I think maybe they should give me three treats and it isn’t just because I enjoy ...

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“Flowers For Amber” by Seth Wandling

Whatever kept drawing him back to the debris field attached itself to him like a parasitic shadow, like a whole new part of him. It had been six years since Ismene reluctantly donned his radiation suit and stepped within the sites boundaries for the first time. A part of him liked to think that if he knew what he knew now, he would never have agreed to be a part of the team to explore the twisted and burned remains of the alien craft. The other part of him, the weaker part, knew that was a lie.He dressed alone, his well practiced h...

1 comment 1 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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“Bonneville Salt Flats” by Anastasia S.

There was something calming riding on a motorcycle—the roar of wind whipping by your hair, the thunderous rumble of the engine. The noise is deafening, and yet there is a sense of calm that sits in your gut like the empty feeling in your lungs after a sigh of relief. Once you get to a certain speed, you could compare the wind to the fluidity of water in a way—the rush, the feeling as it splits to pass the forms of your face and shoulders. The main difference I would say is that water clutches to your skin and hair like a clingy ex ...

1 comment 1 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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This week's prompts

Write a short story about someone writing Valentine's Day wishes.

Valentine's Day – 50 stories

Write a short story about someone reflecting on their previous year's resolutions.

Holiday – 33 stories

Write a short story about someone who refuses to write New Year's resolutions.

Winter – 38 stories

Write a short story about someone accomplishing one of their resolutions.

Holiday – 54 stories

Write a short story about someone in the self-help aisle of a bookstore. What book do they pick up?

Short Story – 90 stories

Stories

“10 Things To Do Instead of Writing New Year's Resolutions” by Emily Sperber

1. Hang out with friends Your friends are the kind of people that make New Year’s resolutions. The five of you, too broke to go anywhere, sit around your studio apartment. One has her legs hanging off the arm of the one chair you have. One is sitting next to you on the futon. The others are splayed, their bodies like starfish, on the ground. They use their fingers and each other to remember the resolutions they think of on the spot. Maybe they could actually eat breakfast instead of skipping it or...

50 comments 50 WINNER 🏆

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“Ideal Me” by Mark Jackson

My New Year’s resolution this year: to delete your Facebook account. I had already planned on doing this before your mother called. That’s what I’m telling myself. ‘You owe us that much, James,’ your mother said.‘Right.’‘We wouldn’t even bother to ask you, it’s just her father and I don’t know how these things work.’‘I understand.’‘So, you’ll do it as soon as you can? In the next few days?’‘Yes,’ I lied and hung up.That was three weeks ago, and your Facebook account is sti...

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“Self-help” by Miles Gatling

What's this now? "The monkey in you. Discover your origin." Hm… He placed the book back. "Life secrets. Untold, never before heard of secrets." Pass.

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“An Outspoken Angel” by Anastasia Foxx

As Aella Boylen walked down the main street of Shiloh, she was a funny sight, her ears and face flushed strawberry bright from the cold. Her dwarvish body tramped through the snow loudly, her petite figure rounder by the many layers she had on. She walked past chocolate shops and Christmas stores that were desperately trying to get rid of their holiday merchandise before February. She walked past rows of boutiques and pubs before stopping at an odd, large bookstore labeled ...

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“Tradegy Year” by Nicole Chen

New Years is a holiday filled deep joy. Families gather together with beaming faces as they stare at the ticking clock. But in a small, poor building, orphan kids cried and weeped as they recounted another year of losing their loved one. The wealthy, the poor; they all came together. No matter anyone's status, everyone gained during the New years. But could those children too? Holly sniveled at their loss and thought for a moment once again how a poor woman like her, could afford to take on those little ones as her own. Each and e...

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“Black Frame” by Yoomi Ari

There is roughly 8 billion people in the world. About 70% have brown eyes, blue is 8%-10%, 5% have amber or hazel eyes and 2% have green eyes. My point... nothing really, just thought I’d impress you with my knowledge... that I googled.Flicking off the switch, I heaved the creaky door towards me, the flowery wallpaper containing near sheer happiness clipping away from the wall. The decorative furniture held a cozy glaze under the set of caked stars, perfectly aligned to make everything perfect. Dark though it was, the library was o...

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“New Year Memories” by Emerald Taurus

I keep my head down as I scurry from one building to the other, glancing around furtively in case someone grows suspicious of me. I glance at the list in my hand, the one that bears the names of some people that I was in charge of hunting down. A member of a group of hunting the undead ghosts, the group passe...

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“A Long, Narrow Box” by Joshua G. J. Insole

Marvin needed help, and this seemed to be the place to get it. He looked at the laminated label on the bookshelf. SELF-HELP SECTION. He nodded to himself. Yup, this was the right place all right. He held his hands behind his back – neatly, as Mother had taught him – and surveyed the books on offer.Deidre had been making a stink all week, and Marvin had finally caved and gone in search of a remedy to their problems. It was a very specific issue. Marvin was doubtful that he’d...

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“Life Resolutions ” by Maria Gelman

I hate New Year’s Resolutions.I tried to peek from behind the door. I had heard a smashing noise, but that was about it. “Dad?” My voice was barely a whisper.Instead of seeing him near the door, he was sitting at the table, beer bottle in his hand.“Guess that New Year Resolution didn’t work out, huh, champ?” he asked, and I realized he was speaking to me.Cautiously, I nodded as I stepped out from the other room. “Where’s mom?”“She went out after finding this.” He waved the beer bottle in the air. “Typica...

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“An Uncertain Future” by Tori Routsong

The ground isn’t burned beneath your feet. It makes sense that it wouldn’t be—the bombs never came here—but the grass under your toes is deceptive. You sigh, and put your shoes back on. You’ll never admit it, but your mom is right. There’s too much broken glass left over from the riots.Nobody thought it would come here—there hadn’t been a war on American soil since… well, the Civil War, you suppose. Nobody was expecting it, at least. And in true American fashion, the backlash caused uproar throughout the city. More people had been ...

4 comments 4 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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“Biggest Lie Ever Told” by P. J. Quirindongo

January 1, 2020. I grumbled as I glanced at the calendar that hung on the wall next to my shiny desktop. I snorted and headed toward my small kitchen and fetched myself a hot, steaming cup of coffee. I have always hated this time of year, for it means that my family expects me at their house for their annual activity: New Year’s resolutions. I headed back to my desk and sat. As I turned on my desktop PC, I glanced one more time at the calendar and at the date. A thought came into my gray matter. Perhaps I could continue w...

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“Vanessa, You're Glowing! ” by Christian Monee

Vanessa walked out of work and wrapped her arms as tightly as she could around her body. The wind stung her face and even with her heavy bubble coat and thick scarf, she shivered walking through the parking lot of the Spruce Shopping Center. She eyed the Joe-Betty bookstore. In there, she’d be able to warm up and there would be places to sit and relax; that would be her place of refuge. As she walked through the doors the warm air caused her glasses to fog up and the smell of coffee whirled around her head. She felt like she might be si...

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“Woah! Tell Me How to Say No to This (not a Hamilton fanfic)” by Lily Kingston

“Ahhhhhhhhh…” A girl around age eighteen sang to herself. “Ahhh…hmmmmm… oh yeah, those are words all right.” She pinched the spine of a book and dangled it in the air. “Not thought I know what any of them mean…” “Do you need any help, ma’am?” I asked while leaning against a crooked bookshelf. “No, I’m quite fine. Yo...

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“Holly's Horrible Homework” by Tolu Odel

Kaploomp!I sink into my desk chair.Sigh.The first day of school for 2020 and we already have homework. What is this nonsense? Honestly, somebody should have warned me that grade 6 is so difficult. I...

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“Shipwrecked in the Self-Help Aisle” by Najwa Zandlo

Dear Sandy, WOW! Can I just start by saying I may be your biggest fan? I’ve followed your column in the newspaper for years. The piece you wrote last week, about therapeutic gardening – that was genius. I bought a small bonsai tree for my office at work, so fingers crossed. I’ve read everything you’ve written. I’ve listened to you tell wives to leave their husbands, give new mothers breastfeeding advice, and help siblings reconcile their differences. I’ve ...

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Ended on 23:59 - Jan 24, 2020 EST

Won by Emily Sperber 🏆

Title: 10 Things To Do Instead of Writing New Year's Resolutions

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

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