Did you make any resolutions for the new year? The tradition has been around for some time – here are polar explorer Adolphus Greely’s resolutions from 1869:
From the Adolphus Greely Diary, 1869, in the George Stuart Collection of Archeological and Other Materials #5268, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Transcription:
New Year Resolves
1st To write mother at least once a week
2nd To spend at least one hour a day in study, or useful reading
3rd To keep an account of all receipts and expenditures
4th To endeavor to stop swearing
5th To endeavor to restrain rash speech
6th To keep a diary of whereabouts &c. each day during the year,
7th To [settle?] a report of these rules in this diary on the last day of each month