My New Years remotely achievable list

Frances Whiting’s position on New Years Resolutions is firm. Don’t make any. Instead, she makes a ‘remotely achievable’ list.

Happy 2025 everyone, it’s lovely to be back with you all. Now, I don’t know what your position on New Year’s Resolutions is, but mine is firm. I don’t make any.

What I do instead is a decidedly less ambitious affair; not a New Year’s Resolution list, but a New Year’s Remotely Achievable list.

So far, this has served me well. Past remotely achievable goals I have met include learning how to use the coffee machine at home, and not wearing pyjamas past midday.

These days I do indeed know how to make my coffee – I don’t do it, I still ask my husband to make it every morning, but the important thing is, if I had to, I could. I am also, I’m proud to say, currently writing this column in daywear.

So, here is this year’s list. Please feel free to create your own remotely achievable goals, and remember to set the bar low to avoid disappointment.

Make some remotely achievable goals for the year ahead.

In that spirit, I wish you all an adequate 2025. Here’s my list.

When buying an item of clothing online, use the measurement chart they have thoughtfully provided so that said item will fit you. Do not look at the measurement chart, think “I can’t be bothered with that palaver” followed by “I’ll just put down medium”.

When an item of clothing you have bought online arrives and it does not fit you – please see above – return it in the bag they have provided. Do not put it aside to do later, or for the day when it will fit you. This day will never come.

Never buy an item of clothing online or a product that is made by one of those huge fast fashion or manufacturing companies.

No, not even if you spin “the lucky wheel”, and you get 75 per cent off. Everyone gets 75 per cent off, and the only people on earth who cannot afford these products are the people who make them.

Frances Whiting. Picture: David Kelly

Write down all your passwords somewhere and also the particular site they are for. Especially the one for purchasing apps on your phone.

I do not know my password, it is not the one I am sure it is and no, thank you, I do not want to reset it to be sent to my email address I gave you last time because I don’t know what that ##%$ one was either.

This year, when the woman at the local dress boutique who pretends not to know your name, says: “And are you still writing that little column of yours?” answer: “Yes I am, Susan, and I see you are still working in your little frock shop.” Say this even though you know her name is Patricia. Also do not put the clothes back on their hangers in the change room.

Learn to embrace pettiness. Oh, I see I already have.

And finally – and this is by far the most important, and very achievable goal – put your phone down. Put it down and pick up a book instead. Or put it down, and lift your face up to the sun.

Or put it down, look at the real world around you and remember that’s where the really good stuff lives.

Originally published as My New Years remotely achievable list