Resolutions Without The Guilt

Don't get bogged down by Y2K gravitas. Your duty is to keep it trivial

People who consider themselves sophisticated tend to disparage the making of New Year's resolutions. ("My resolution is not to make resolutions" is surely the most irritating rejoinder since the deeply annoying "Let's not and say we did.") But it's easy to see why the snobs wince. Yes, New Year's resolutions are glib, sanctimonious and self-serving. Yes, they are the haiku of holiday kitsch. But isn't glib, sanctimonious, self-serving kitsch the glue that holds us together as Americans?

This year many of my closest personal friends, people who would ordinarily have no trouble tossing off a dozen or so resolutions, are...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!