Readers offer their own resolution responses

DEAR READERS >> By this time of year, many of us have tried — and already discarded — our New Year's resolutions. In the spirit of making, keeping, or perhaps restarting these resolutions, I'm devoting this column to reader responses to a recent question from “Unresolved” about the challenge of maintaining resolutions.

DEAR AMY >> The only resolution I truly kept was to discard one item every week, after downsizing from a home to a condo.

So easy! So liberating! It cured me of needing to hold on to “stuff.” — Gloria, in Grand Rapids, Michigan

DEAR AMY >> Why are we so stuck on January 1 as the day all resolutions must begin?

It's hard to get moving in the dead of winter. Instead, look at the spring equinox as your starting point for new resolutions, and spend the winter months reflecting on old habits, slowly shedding the ones that don't work for you anymore, and thinking of ways to improve your life once the snow melts.

Spring has always felt like the start of a new year to me, anyway. — Alli

DEAR AMY >> Never make a New Year's resolution. Wait until April 1, because then if you fail, you are only making a fool of yourself.

On April 1, 1980, I resolved to stop smoking cigarettes. I haven't smoked one since.

The only resolution I ever made worked.

— No Cigs in Virginia

DEAR AMY >> It is OK to make “fun” resolutions, too!

One year I resolved to try a new kind of cheese every month.

I didn't make it through 12 new cheeses, but thinking about the six or seven new ones I did try still makes me smile!

— A Friend

DEAR AMY >> I think we are absolutely our own worst critics.

I know that negative reinforcement produces the least long-term behavior change, while doing plenty of damage to our self-esteem, which is pretty demotivating.

Positive reinforcement, kindness to ourselves, and being our own cheerleader is really key.

That, along with living with enthusiasm (fake it until it sticks), have helped to bring me to some of my most productive periods of self-improvement.

— Sharing Helps

DEAR AMY >> Here's what has worked for me: Do it with a friend.

Last year I resolved to call a long-distance friend at least once a month.

We decided to take turns calling every month.

We kept our resolution and are continuing it this year.

It has been wonderful for our long friendship. I am now adding another long-distance friend to my monthly calls. — Gabby