New Year’s Eve Idea

I was trying to come up with a new way to spend New Year’s and I think I have it, although it is a week long celebration. And maybe celebration is the wrong word.

Here’s how I got the idea. Yesterday I made a phone call I’ve been dreading, because I need access to information from someone who doesn’t want to give it to me. They probably still won’t, but I felt I had to try one more time. After I made the call I just had that wonderful feeling of a weight being lifted from your shoulders. I did it, I’m done, it’s over. It felt so great.

So this is going to be my new way of celebrating New Year’s: make a list of all the things I’ve been putting off doing for whatever reason, fear, dread, it’s something difficult, boring, etc., and do them. What shall I call it? My “I Don’t Want to Do It” list? Then I’ll spend the week before New Year’s checking them off. (I’m in the process of doing this now.)

I think it’s the perfect idea, a thousand times better than making resolutions. Even if you only check off a few items, you’re starting the New Year with a feeling of accomplishment.

I took this walking home, maybe a day or two before Christmas. This is the White Horse Tavern, a famous bar a block away from where I live. I drank too much here on many an occasion back in my drinking days.

WhiteHorse

Stacy Horn

I've written six non-fiction books, the most recent is Damnation Island: Poor, Sick, Mad, and Criminal in 19th-Century New York.

View all posts by Stacy Horn →

2 thoughts on “New Year’s Eve Idea

  1. Stacy,
    and I’m being completely sincere here: This is the BEST end of the year idea I’ve ever heard. I’m writing your suggestion down in my new date calendar for next Dec., to remember to give myself time to do it.
    Thank you, and happy new year to you. Good job on the phone call!

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