Resolving NOT to resolve: This Writer’s Word for the New Year

It’s a new year, time to make resolutions and promises meant to improve our lives. Last January, I rebelled against this tradition and instead of setting new resolutions, I aimed to finish all my past (uncompleted) ones. So that was my “word” for the year of 2025…FINISH.

And it worked! I had the most productive year of my writing career. I finished and published the sequel in my Keepers Series, finished and published a short story romance for a collaborated book project, and signed a book contract for a new YA paranormal story coming out in spring 2026. All three of these were projects I’d toiled with for far too long and accomplishing them felt incredible.

I couldn’t be happier with the results from my little New Year’s Resolution Revolt! Letting go of the pressures of adding new to-do’s felt overwhelming, but I still wanted to be accountable to the projects I already had going. So, I’m choosing simplicity again!

This year, I will strive to finish the work I’m already invested in. To make that work, I also want to honor the busy lifestyle I lead…which isn’t always helpful with my productivity. Yes, this author also has a full-time job as a teacher. And I have a family. And the various pressures of life that we all engage in. I need one word to manifest my year.

My new word this year will be APPRECIATE! I plan to s-l-o-w down to go fast. I will choose to delve into the projects already on my desk (and in my head) and appreciate what I already have.

My gratitude challenge from November has really stuck with me, and I’m not ready to release the good feelings that come from creating in this mindset.

Whether you are a goal-setter and need to have those new shiny ambitions in January to spur you on, or if you are content to continue making the work you’re already doing shine, go you! I am here to root for you and your progress because that’s what it’s about, right? Progress over perfection.

On a side-note, if you’re a romance reader and looking for a collection of short rom-coms, my short story romance, Drawn to You, can be found in the book, Sweet Chaos, out yesterday, January 5th! I was too excited not to mention it! The new pink cover can be found on the photo at the bottom of this page!

Happy New Year to you! And happy creating too!

Celaine Charles, January 6, 2026

Bio:

Celaine Charles is a teacher by day and writer by night. She’s an award-winning, multi-genre author who strives to balance her dual life creating poetry, young adult fantasy, romance shorts, and a blog about her writing journey, Steps in Between. To thrive, Celaine enjoys walks through the enchanted forests of Washington State, reading at least fifteen minutes a day, and eating mounds of allergy-free chocolate. She is currently querying her children’s picture books about social emotional learning. Join her newsletter, as she loves connecting with writers and readers. Find her other published books and links on her website: https://celainecharlesauthor.com/

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