January One-Liners
I ran into a friend at the post office the other day. She had a December Senior News clutched with her holiday cards and junk mail, and wanted to know the January topic. She wants to write something, she told me, for perhaps the 20th time.
“Transitions,” I said. Changes coming in 2026. I recited my bit about the Roman god Janus, after whom January is named, a god of doors and portals and transitions, who looks both back and forward.
“Changes?” her friend chimed in. He said he is resolved to change his socks more often.
I told him that seemed to me as good a New Year’s resolution as any, and better than many. Right there on the spot, we came up with a list of one-line resolutions to help ease the transition to a new year.
Now it’s January and here are some (possibly) helpful resolutions for the New Year from that conversation and from Senior News readers. Some, like Jerry, look forward to clean socks. Others want to be kinder and gentler in 2026, or to get more involved in helping the world make its transitions.
Enjoy. “More time on the boat/in the woods/with my grandkids… .”
“Learn to play the piano.” “Less doom-scrolling on my phone.”
“Get a grip!”
“Travel back to my 30s to have a day with my two children as toddlers.”
“No more pain. Mine and our country’s.”
“Making time for creative endeavors.” “I resolve to stop telling old people jokes. (I turn 90 in February!) If it’s legal to have two resolutions: I’m going to dance like nobody’s watching.
(Probably nobody is. Oops, just forgot #1! lol!)” “Be brave enough to suck at something new.”
“Especially now, we have to give back and take care of each other.”
“Complete a list of unpleasant expensive dental procedures.”
“Be gifted a golden retriever puppy.” “Keep moving.”
“Give up all hope of a better past.”
“Engage only in age-appropriate activities. I have to accept I can’t do the demanding physical stuff I used to.”
“Be pain-free.” “Spread joy. It’s catchy!”
Ted Pease, editor of Senior News, is full of good intentions for the coming year.
