Years ago, we brought in the New Year in The Hague with Andries and Henny, my mother- and father-in-law. When I shared my excitement about making New Year’s resolutions, Henny told me she found the whole concept of resolutions childish. It was a tough moment for me. I had the utmost respect for Henny, but her reply, no matter how politely and calmly delivered, came across as quite judgmental. After all, I had just shared my enthusiasm for the concept. Was she calling me childish?
Henny, a bright, kind, and gracious soul, has since passed. And as I recall this memory (quite possibly from 2011), it is no longer tainted with annoyance. Now, it has been revised into a wise lesson: Things that are precious to me are not necessarily precious to others, and everyone has a right to their own opinion, even if it differs from mine.
My view of New Year’s resolutions has also changed over time. I’m no longer interested in making a grand list that will stare me in the face a year later, wagging its long, papery finger in my direction while it says: “Didn’t tick off many of these boxes, did you now?”
In 2024, I didn’t even bother to make a list. But now that I’ve hit the third week of January 2025, the resolutions are percolating in the back of my mind. These resolutions are gentle, manageable, measurable. Beneath these small steps are grander visions, but I am less focused on the grandeur and more focused on the moment.
- What can I do now to get to where I want to be?
- What is not serving me?
- Am I ready to let that go?
- If not, what’s stopping me?
- Am I attached to something or someone who is a negative force in my life because I find the negativity comfortably familiar?
- Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t?
- Why not part with the devil altogether and step into something new?
These are the thoughts that dance playfully around the yet-unformed resolutions. If I continue in this manner, the list that I form will be a well-conceived list with the power of forethought and intention. It will have steps that I can do, little by little, to walk on the path. My 2025 wish is to recognize the path and start walking. Of course the path might take a turn I did not see. But that’s just life. I will go with the flow.
For now, I have one resolution that is already taking form: Publish my eco rom-com Christmas novel in September of 2025. The first draft is already completed and the edits are back from the copyeditor. Second draft is underway and the publishing team has been selected. So this is one resolution I feel confident sharing. To hold this vision, I have made a placeholder image to represent the cover. The real cover will be designed by a professional! Want to follow my author journey?
Check out my author website: Author Kristin Anderson
kristininholland 