New Year’s Resolutions…Starting In February!

By Jamie Hanley

Welcome to February – when cold, dark, and snowy weather continue to be the norm in upstate NY. Many of us spend each January in reflection and setting resolutions for the coming year – things we’d like to do, goals we set for ourselves – only to forget them by February. And yet we seem to do it every year. Why not do something less conventional this year? (And not just by starting one month in.)

This year I noticed something different – a friend posted something on Instagram that caught my eye and gave me reason to pause…it was a list of FUN things we could resolve to do! I broke out in a cold sweat….wait, what?!?!? It always seemed so painful to try and come up with something I thought I could stick by, but I never even gave the idea of fun things a thought. So I dug a little further into the idea. Turns out we don’t have to resolve to do only the hard things (declutter, lose weight, save money, exercise, fill in the blank for you), but we can choose something FUN instead. How liberating! 

As I read more, there seemed to be themes developing – and I couldn’t help but notice that so many of them have direct ties to the library and are even benefits to having a library card. 

In times when being tight on cash for “extra activities” is a common reality, fear not! Your library card is the answer, and it comes with a LOT of perks.  Even more when you become a Friend of the Library.

Check out the following popular fun resolutions and see where you fit in! 

• Try a new recipe/soup every month – Check out the cookbook section at the library! At the family holiday dinner, my youngest said they were starting a new thing at their house – a new soup once a week! I pointed to the bookshelf and my favorites for sharing. 

• Read the classics – Shakespeare not your thing? Try a twist on the bard’s tale and learn a little about the man instead – I highly recommend Jodi Picoult’s By Any Other Name. Maybe even find your own copy at one of the Friends Used Book Sales, (save the date for May 15-17). 

• Visit local historical spots and museums – you might learn something new about the area you live in. Tax district residents can check out one of almost 20 museum passes offered by the library and sponsored by the CPH Friends of the Library to start your next adventure today. These are great on a weekend or school breaks!

• Start a new craft or hobby – the Friends-sponsored Craft Supplies Give and Take (April 16 – 19, 2026) is a great place to get set up with something new while not spending a ton of money. If it turns out that craft isn’t for you, donate those supplies and try again next year! 

Here’s to the continuation of New Year’s reflections and resolutions! However you choose to embrace them, best wishes for your success! Grab a friend and head to the Library for some inspiration. Happy Reading ~