Westerly Sun Column | Resolutions, Wellness and New Hobbies

It’s hard to believe, but we’re already more than halfway through 2025, which begs the question: how are your New Year’s Resolutions going?!

Don’t worry, this isn’t a test, and I’m certainly not here to judge. I don’t actually remember my resolution, or whether I came up with one at all (though Goodreads has informed me that I am on track to meet my 2025 reading goal, so that’s something)! Whether you choose to make a formal resolution or not, the middle of the year can still be a good opportunity for self-reflection, and to consider what you can do to make the second half of the year even better. Of course, a trip to the library is a great first step!

“Self-care” and “wellness” have been buzzwords for years now, and for good reason: taking care of your mind and body is vital to your wellbeing, and can enable you to better take care of those around you. That being said, this pretty simple concept has turned into a massive industry that may have you questioning whether you really need a $150 retinol serum, or 10-minute ice bath 7 days a week, in order to live your best life. Author and journalist Amy Larocca dives into this conundrum in her latest book “How to Be Well: Navigating Our Self-Care Epidemic, One Dubious Cure at a Time”, holding a magnifying glass up to such wellness trends such as green juices, ashwagandha, and even colonics. At the same time, Larocca offers some guidance on how to improve your wellness by working on your inner world, rather than forking over money for the latest products. Overall, it’s a good read for those who want to prioritize self-care this year, but are (understandably) skeptical of the wellness biz.

Another popular resolution is to take up a new hobby, or spend more time on existing hobbies that bring you joy. If this is something that you want to do more of in the second half of the year, I highly recommend checking out our calendar of events at the library, where you’ll find information on a range of different clubs and meetups. Exercise your body through Essentrics or group yoga, discover new reads and meet new friends in our book discussions, explore the fiber arts at our “Sewers in Stitches”, “Knit and Crochet”, or “Westerly Cross Stitchers” groups, and much more. If you prefer to enjoy hobbies on your own, we have some surprising resources (i.e., not just books!) to help. If you enjoy art and culture, or want to expand your horizons, you can borrow a pass for free or discounted admission to an area museum. Our Library of Things includes items that can help you try out a new hobby, such as birdwatching kits, gardening supplies, and even a metal detector.

I hope the first half of 2025 has treated you well, and that the second half is twice as good. And, if the library can help make that a reality, all the better!

by Cassie Skobrak, Adult Services Librarian