Drink more water--you should at least hit that goal
ESSENTIAL NEWS. December 25, 2025. Florida Weekly
In last week’s column, we discussed coming up with a concept of a plan for your New Year’s resolutions.
Planning to plan is always a good first step.
In fact, you can consider it a pre-New Year’s resolution, and the fact that you are reading this means you are already pre-planning and can check that off your list.
Congratulations!
Now we are moving on from pre-planning to actual goal setting.
New Year’s resolutions are deeply personal matters. In fact, in some cultures—the people of my native village of Miami, for instance—it is considered bad juju to share your goals lest you jinx them.
We’ve already discussed the need to keep your list brief, measurable, and doable. But it can be helpful to model other people’s success stories.
What are the resolutions that prove achievable? Exhaustive research has resulted in no consensus list. But here are a handful of goals that continue to pop up whenever we ask the question: What New Year’s goals actually work?
In no particular order:
Drink one extra glass of water each day. Water is good for you. In fact, your body is about 60 percent water—unless you’re my friend Ray, who is 20 percent water and 40 percent bourbon. Let’s face it, if you can’t succeed at drinking a glass of water, you might want to stop right here because the rest of these goals do not get easier.
Read a book. Even if it is only one. Reading is good for your brain, so much better than social media. It builds neurons. And if you don’t know what a neuron is, then you definitely need to start reading more. The big question is fiction or nonfiction? Sure, you could tackle a hilarious, literate, adventuresome Florida-themed book like one of mine, but I don’t want to drift into shilling my own stuff. There are other writers out there, too. I suppose.
Call a friend instead of texting. Yes, I know, this is a toughie. And very old-fashioned. Texting is so convenient, no need for drawn-out conversation, and as long as you don’t start to reply and those little typing bubbles give you away, you can always pretend not to have seen his or her or their message. But all the research shows that adding human connections to your life increases longevity. Of course, it depends on the human.
Practice deep breathing when stressed. Breathing is good for you. In fact, if you stop breathing, there’s an excellent chance the next time someone tries to text you, you won’t have to worry about dodging them at all.
Add one vegetable to a meal each day. It is alleged by so-called health experts that veggies are good for you. So, this is one of those very doable goals. Tell the counter person at Five Guys you want extra pickles on your double cheeseburger. Job done!
Learn how to fake sincerity like a normal human with a semblance of empathy. Sure, it’s tough. But start with finding something nice to say to someone each day and not crack up laughing. You can do it!
So glad to have been of help. Now, it’s time to make those goals for yourself. Good luck! And I mean that sincerely.
Looking Ahead
A quick look at upcoming events and holidays that, in a pinch, you can share with your friends—or frenemies—so they’ll think you are the smartest person in the room—or the Zoom.
January 3 is Fruitcake Toss Day. But only if it is not a rum-infused fruitcake. They are immortal.
January 4 is National Spaghetti Day, for both lovers of Italian food and Pastafarians, members of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
January 5. National Whipped Cream Day. How you choose to enjoy your whipped cream is all up to you. We do not judge.
January 6. National Take Down the Christmas Tree Day. This is where celebrants of Festivus have it all over the rest of us because they just use a metal pole.
January 7. I’m Not Going to Take it Anymore Day. A time for a fresh start. In fact, you can decide to start your New Year’s resolutions today. Cast off the old, embrace the new you. And all that.
January 8. Fiesta Bowl. College football championship semifinal game in Phoenix. 7:30 p.m. ET. ESPN.
January 9. Peach Bowl. College football championship semifinal game in Atlanta. 7:30 p.m. ET. ESPN.
J.C. Bruce is an award-winning journalist and author of the Strange Files series of mysterious adventures. He holds dual citizenship in the United States of America and Florida. Check out his website, jcbruce.com, for details on how to order copies of his books. Copyright, 2025, J.C.Bruce