Literacy Resolutions for the New Year

By Paris Sanchez

Photo by Harold M. Lambert on Getty Images • Auld Lang Syne, indeed.

As the holidays are verging on, and the New Year is right around the corner, it is time to commence composing the New Year resolutions. However, before we begin to write our New Year resolutions, we should foremost begin to reflect on the New Year resolutions we had established for ourselves last year and what we managed to cross off on the list.

We should ask ourselves why some of the resolutions did not end up getting crossed off. If one of your resolutions was to read more but that didn't end up getting crossed off, think as to why that was. To do this, an adequate idea is to arrange a time to do this on your own, a serene place, or maybe a noisy place helps you think better. Establishing a date and time could also motivate you to get this accomplished. 

Imagine a cozy coffee shop where the air is filled with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and the sound of people chatting and laughing around you. Perhaps this is the perfect place to stimulate your creativity and help you think better. By setting a specific date and time to tackle a task, we become more committed to completing it and achieving this goal can provide a great sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.

If you're someone who enjoys spending time in peaceful reflection, consider creating a personal haven at home. This space should be filled with things that bring you comfort and relaxation, such as scented candles, your favorite meal, and a peaceful environment that encourages deep thought. Taking a purposeful and intentional approach to creating this space not only helps you stay focused on your goals but also provides a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment as you work towards achieving them. And during the holiday season, accomplishing your goals can be even more rewarding, as it triggers the release of dopamine, which in turn inspires feelings of joy and motivation.

When we accomplish something, our brain releases a neurotransmitter called dopamine which gives us a feeling of happiness, pleasure, and motivation. So not only will you accomplish something, but you also receive feelings of happiness during the holidays. More excitedly, what we all look forward to is making new resolutions for the upcoming year. If you’ve never made one, this might be the year to start.

It’s something you could do by yourself or with family/friends. You could set up a date with your friends, plan a relaxing day with them, do nail painting, canvas painting, candle painting, and at the end decorate a journal that you will use for the new year. With this journal, when it’s done being decorated, you and your friends could write your New Year resolutions on the first page.

If you’re having trouble thinking of resolutions to put on your list, consider adding “reading more” or “start reading” to your list of New Year resolutions. For those who have not picked up a book in years, ask yourself why. If it was because you found it boring, consider browsing through different genres and/or writing styles.

There is such a vast number of genres literacy has to offer us. If you find it hard for a book to keep your focus you might want to consider a genre like mystery or thriller which keeps the reader engaged. There are also several different types of writing styles, for example, if you’re nosy, like me,  and like knowing what the character is thinking, then you will probably enjoy 1st point of view rather than a third point of view. And if you like shows such as “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” which revolves around people’s lives, then you should consider trying memoirs. A memoir that has captured my heart is The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls.

If you tend to gravitate towards poetry due to its beautiful writing but crave longer storylines, then consider reading books that have lyrical and poetic prose. A book I recommend that has beautiful writing is Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson. This book is a masterpiece; Nelson is the only author I’ve read that I truly felt “has a way with words.”

Reading has many benefits, besides it being a place where you can escape from reality, it has a positive impact on an individual. Reading can not only help your comprehension skills and vocabulary but it can also help lower one’s stress levels, and help the body prepare itself for sleep due to it promoting relaxation, because it promotes relaxation it also helps lower the heart rate. And because reading can promote relaxation this is actively helping the immune system.

As you set your New Year resolutions, reflecting on the past and anticipating the future, consider the satisfaction in accomplishment and the joy of formulating goals. Whether in a lively coffee shop or the tranquility of home, intertwine together creative activities and shared moments with loved ones. Explore diverse literature, from thrilling mysteries to eloquent memoirs, recognizing the profound impact of reading on well-being. Add the timeless pursuit of reading to your resolutions, and gather with friends or family to inscribe shared goals, intertwining accomplishment, warmth, and the promise of a fulfilling year ahead.