For many, the new year is a time to reflect on the past year and start fresh with a New Year’s resolution or set of goals for the upcoming year.

In October, Statista Consumer Insights polled 417 Americans, ages 18-64, about their resolutions for 2024 and found that while eating healthy, exercising more and losing weight were still high on the list, saving more money has surpassed health-related goals for this year (59%).  Other popular resolutions included spending more time with loved ones, adopting more eco-friendly practices around the home, reducing work stress, and developing more positive digital experiences (less social media 19%, better filters for removing negative messaging).

The Register took to the streets and community hubs to get Boothbay area perspectives and gauge where we stand on resolutions. In the harbor, author Rena Mosteirin said she plans to have less of an impact on the environment by choosing to not purchase any new clothes in 2024. Jed Dobson plans to relax more, and the Bishop family looks to “get better at basketball, better at gymnastics and cook more meals at home.”

Monica Tartsanyi and Ian Riley, who were getting married later that day, took a moment to share with the Register. “I want to be more patient, drink less and try to quit smoking,” said Tartsanyi. “I’m going to live louder and prouder,” said Riley.

At the YMCA, Eric Graves’ resolution for 2024 is “to be kind to others. In this day and age, where the world is now, being kind to others is the most important thing any of us can do.” Neot Doron-Repa, an Israeli-American woman from New York who comes to Boothbay twice a year, said, “better world, no war” and Walter Kreppein said he intends to live the lyrics of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s “Happy Xmas (War is Over)” – a song describing two years of peaceful activism by Lennon and Ono.

Enock Citenga’s resolution is simple and impressive. “I’m going to sign a pro soccer contract,” he said. Citenga, as previously reported by the Register, has been invited three times to tryouts but has waited to complete his college education. This is the year he realizes the goal, he hopes, trying out in California Jan. 6 and 7.

Other resolutions were comical. Don Kingsbury of Two Salty Dogs resolves to “rule a legion of dog soldiers, larger than any army on Earth,” and his dog, Marzipan, resolves to build a better relationship with Santa. His first encounter with jolly St. Nick was not particularly friendly. In East Boothbay, a neighborhood cat resolves to go fishing more.

The largest group in our poll, 12 people, said they no longer make resolutions.