At the end of every year, we’re bombarded with ads and challenges promising to transform our lives. “Follow this 3-week plan to revamp your eating habits!” “Work out every day for a month to become a whole new you!”
When we think about New Year’s resolutions, they often come from a place of “should.” We resolve to finally do the things we feel guilty about not doing: lose weight, save money, read more.
While I love the idea of fresh starts (I’m a sucker for the magic of New Beginnings), this drive to restart ourselves as the calendar flips over is exhausting. How many of those resolutions do you actually stick to? More importantly, how many of them genuinely excite you?
This year, I’m inviting you to try something different.
🪩 Put some whimsy into your New Year’s resolutions.🪩
Make a Resolution You’re Excited About
What if, instead of focusing on what we “should” do, we did something fun? Something silly? Something that lights us up?
Take one of my favorite artists, Kate Leth, for example. Their 2024 resolution was to pet 100 cats—a goal with no pressure attached, just pure joy! Instead of a chore or a dreaded task, it was an activity they woke up excited to pursue every day.
The Power of Fun
When we loosen up and integrate more fun into our lives, something magical happens. The things we’re working toward often fall into place naturally—or we realize we didn’t really want or need them in the first place. As Catherine Price, author of The Power of Fun, explains in an NPR article, fun is about “being playful, connecting with people, and getting lost in the moment.” It’s that “in the zone” feeling where time flies by.
Fun isn’t just about fleeting happiness—it’s a tool for growth. According to Stephen Krashen’s research on learning, fun lowers the “affective filter” that can block us from absorbing new information. When we’re having fun, we feel safe, confident, and more open to trying (and failing at) new things.
Practice Your Play
As we get older, play often slips away from our daily lives. Our adult routines are built for efficiency, productivity, and responsibility. If play no longer comes naturally, it’s something you’ll have to intentionally cultivate and return to.
Building fun into your life might take some trial and error. As Catherine Price reminds us, “We really trivialize fun and are so casual and sloppy about how we use the word, but it is essential for our happiness and health.”
Not sure how to come up with something silly?
Think back on the moments that brought you joy this past year.
📌 What were you doing?
📮 Who were you with?
🧲 What activities made you feel more alive and connected?
How can you bring more of those moments into your life in the coming year?
Maybe it’s trying to cook a new dish every month because that cooking class you took was so much fun. Or maybe it's making your own Lisa Frank-esque accessories because pink zebra stripes and unicorns really get you jazzed. Whatever it is, let it be something that feels light, playful, and for you.
Joy Doesn’t Have to Cost a Thing
One of the traps we fall into with New Year’s resolutions is thinking we need to spend money to change ourselves. Making changes in your life doesn’t mean you have to invest in expensive gym memberships, a new wardrobe, or the latest gadget. It just requires creativity and intentionality.
📕 Want to read more books? Get a library card or download the Libby app.
💃 Want to move your body more? YouTube is full of yoga, dance, and workout videos. Take a walk in a nearby park, join a local hiking group through Meetup, or even turn your living room into a mini dance floor.
Shift from “What do I need to buy to make this happen?” to “What can I do with what I already have?” Joy isn’t something you purchase—it’s something you create.
Do It Together
Sometimes, the best way to stick to a resolution is to share it with someone else.
Maybe you and your friends decide to take on a shared whimsical resolution, like hosting a monthly themed dinner party or learning a new dance together. The joy of doing it together makes the journey even more special.
And even if your resolution is personal, like learning to juggle or taking up photography, inviting someone to check in with you or brainstorming ideas together can add a sense of connection. Fun is contagious, and sharing your joy invites others to experience it with you.
Kate Leth shares their steps towards petting 100 cats in quick sketches of the cats they meet on Instagram. It delights me every time it pops up on my feed.
The Artist’s Date
If you’re someone who thrives on structure or needs a little nudge to break out of routine, this one’s for you. Shifting your perspective on New Year’s resolutions—and embracing play—might not come easily. It’s hard to undo years of tradition and expectation overnight. So, if you’re feeling stuck or unsure where to start, here’s a playful little homework assignment to guide you: the Artist’s Date.
Coined by Julia Cameron in The Artist’s Way, an Artist’s Date is a once-weekly solo expedition to do something that enchants or interests you. It’s part “artist” and part “date.” You’re essentially “wooing” your creative self.
The rules are simple:
Plan your Artist’s Date ahead of time
Make it something that sparks joy, creativity, or curiosity.
Do it alone.
Think of it as a little gift to yourself—a chance to nurture your inner artist and have fun just for the sake of it. You could:
🌄 Hike or spend time outdoors
🎒 Dedicate an hour to looking into something you’ve been procrastinating on
📕 Flip through some magazines and tear out pieces make a vision board
♨️ Get a massage or a facial
🖌️ Color, paint, or draw
If you’re looking for a resolution with a touch of structure but lots of room for spontaneity, this could be the perfect fit. You could set a goal of going on [X] number of Artist’s Dates this year. It’s a goal you can work toward, but every week can look completely different depending on your mood, your interests, and energy.
Resolutions don’t have to revolve around “fixing” things or achieving something monumental. They can be about creating space to connect with yourself.
“I am going to keep having fun every day I have left, because there is no other way of life.” - Randy Pausch
Make This the Year of Whimsy
This year, I’m resolving to embrace more playfulness. To prioritize joy over obligation. To create little quests that bring me joy.
As for my personal quest, I’m on a mission to watch 100 movies I've never seen before! I'd love to hear your whimsy commitment for the New Year - feel free to share in the comments.
Here’s to a joyful, whimsical new year.
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