Before the champagne glasses clink and we leave 2025 behind, we’re taking the time to reflect on the promises we made to ourselves at the beginning of the year, back when the calendar was (relatively) empty and we didn’t know what the year would bring. In that spirit, we asked Globe readers to share their 2025 resolutions and tell us how it went.
Some were more successful than others, but what struck us was how they vowed to persevere despite the setbacks and how much they each seemed to learn. Maybe you’ll find some inspiration to motivate you heading into 2026.
Submissions have been edited for length and clarity.
The bingo board of resolutions
Zahra Khozema’s 2025 resolutions bingo board.Supplied
I’m a big believer in vision boards. This year, I made a bingo board, and I crossed off a lot: got a family doctor, made a podcast, cooked, went on a girls’ trip, invested a bit more rigorously, made some viral TikToks.
I also had big misses. I didn’t quit smoking, didn’t get my G2, didn’t keep up with date nights, I literally quit the gym – URGH.
I was intentional and really thought it was all doable, but I was wrong, or lazy, or too invested in career goals over practical or fun ones. I even made a Google doc with the goals broken down and divided through months, and I also added calendar dates to check in on things. I feel like when I missed one date, it was easier to miss the other, too. – Zahra Khozema, Toronto
Seeking joy in live theatre
Last year I was totally burnt out. I was working as a newly trained art therapist at Princess Margaret Hospital with young adults living with cancer and in treatment. I love my work, but slowly it took over my thoughts and heart, and I was often feeling drained and could do little but collapse when I got home.
My resolution was to intentionally access joy and playfulness this year. I did this in several ways, but I decidedly focused on seeing live theatre.
My partner and I have committed to this journey, seeing over 30 plays this year, including six during the Toronto Fringe Festival.
We go, experience, cry, sometimes we don’t like the play or production, but afterwards we always have something to talk about and reflect how it resonated with our own experiences.
When working in my field it is important to commit to my own wellbeing – for my sake, my loved ones, and ultimately for the people I serve. I proud to say that I’ve stuck to the plan. – Anna Maria Szaflarski, Toronto
Hitting up the local library
Nigel Brachi built a neighbourhood library this year as part of his efforts to reduce the number of books he owns.Supplied
With wall-to-wall shelves of books in the basement, I decided the time had come to stop buying books and, instead, to make better use of the local library. The Edmonton Public Library system is excellent. It turned out to be a great decision: Of the 30 books I read this year, 23 were from the library, and the rest were re-reads from my bookshelves. So, mission accomplished!
The best book that I borrowed was The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley. I also realized if you want to read a newly published book, get there stat. Margaret Atwood’s memoir currently has 273 holds on 30 copies. – Nigel Brachi, Edmonton
Saying no to watching the grandkids
I am 68 and my husband is 72. We have three children and seven grandchildren. I wanted to be able to spend more time as a couple and plan activities without worrying that I had to babysit my kids’ kids, so I started saying no to that more often. They respected our decision and they understand that we raised them, so now it’s time for us to enjoy our retirement.
We still babysit but we give them a calendar for the summer and agree when we can babysit. And, of course, we’re still there for any emergencies. – Lyne Chevalier, Quebec
Riding all the way to Tuktoyaktuk
Brian Browning’s motorbike in Tuktoyaktuk.Supplied
For 2025, I promised to be nicer, volunteer more and ride my sidecar to Tuktoyaktuk, NWT, again.
I have always volunteered but now that I’m retired, I have more time to put toward my passions, such as working with our trail societies and some of the municipal councils. At almost 69, I am slowing down a bit but still get out several times a week to clear, fix or improve some of our local trail networks. These trails don’t get built themselves.
Tuktoyaktuk is a trip every Canadian should make. My second go-around, I was able to take more time up there after negotiating permission from my dear wife, Kathy. I took time to explore bits of Northern B.C. and more of the Yukon that I haven’t seen yet, and stayed longer in a few spots to just soak in the local area. I met fellow travellers from all around and local residents. Going North makes you realize how vast and empty our wonderful country really is.
So, two out of three ain’t bad. Still working on the “be nicer” resolution. – Brian Browning, Salmon Arm, B.C.
25 books in 2025
Leah Reimer’s two reading companions, Pepper and Coby, with her favourite book, The Great Gatsby.Supplied
I loved reading as a kid, but being in school for many years took some of my love of reading from me. At 28, I really wanted to get back into reading more, particularly as an alternative to being on my phone or watching Netflix (one of my favourite books this year was The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, which really fuelled this!). So I set out to read 25 books in 2025, with a particular focus on Canadian authors. One of my favourites was Run Towards the Danger by Sarah Polley. She is a very talented writer.
There were days I didn’t read, but spending 10 minutes with a book and my morning coffee helped me reach my goal. For those looking to set a similar resolution, don’t be afraid to quit on a book. I used to feel like I had to finish everything I ever picked up, which stopped me from even starting sometimes, but now I unashamedly read five books at once and only finish three of them. (To be clear, I only counted the ones I actually finished in my 25 books.)
I’m going to go for 30 in 2026. – Leah Reimer, Ottawa
A publishing deal and a ‘firm’ bod
Irene Chalmers and her youngest son on the day of his high school graduation.Supplied
On New Year’s Day I woke and scribbled in the notebook I keep by my bed: “firm body, publishing deal.” Eleven months later, I have neither but I persevere.
As my marriage was dissolving 15 years ago, I began experimenting with fiction writing. I was able to secure an agent and garner interest from big publishers. Once they read my manuscript, they all said the same thing: beautiful writing, story unclear. Over the following decade I dabbled in resurrecting it, but hit a dead end around May this year. It was a conversation I had with my son, a quarterback, in which he reminded me about the “next play” mentality: no matter the small success or failure, keep going.
As for my body, I’ve always been relatively fit and maintained a healthy diet and lifestyle but always soft, always jiggly. After I turned 50 I began to feel surprisingly strong in mind and spirt and wanted my body to feel as powerful. Recently I found a doable combo of workouts and eating that is changing my body composition. And as a fledgling empty nester, I am applying to do an MFA in fiction next year to finally whip my mess of a manuscript into shape. Resolutions not achieved in body but getting there in spirit. – Irene Chalmers, Toronto
Making the most of retirement
Donna Jaques (yellow sweater) making book ornaments at the Brant County Seniors Centre on Dec. 5.Supplied
My resolutions were centred on adjusting to retirement after I made that transition in December 2024. My efforts were mostly successful. I joined the gym and actually went at least twice a week. I joined a horticultural and historical society, volunteered at the local museum, participated in a crafts program and met a lot of new people and made some friends. I travelled at least every two months, with one big trip to France for a river cruise. And gardened a lot! I feel good about what I accomplished and do not miss working at all! Best of all, I am healthier and socially active in the vibrant community of Paris and the County of Brant. – Donna Jaques, Paris, Ont.
Channelling my inner yogi
Annette Murray with her husband, Tom McGregor, and dog Jimmy.Supplied
My goal was to do yoga four times a week, in part to help me, as the sole caregiver, take care of my disabled husband who has spinal muscular atrophy. One of the biggest challenges to sticking to my goal was my own pain – I have rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, spinal stenosis and insomnia – but it was also a motivator. The pain is much better now, and right after yoga I go for a brisk 35-minute walking meditation around a nearby park. I do that at least 5 days a week. – Annette Murray, Vancouver
Editor’s note: This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Donna Jaques' last name.