There were many years when I thought the start of every new year was a perfect time to reflect, reform and renew.

I never liked the thought of rushing from one year to another without giving serious thought to what direction you are going. I tried to do an in-depth look at how I was living my life, thinking of what I needed to do better.

Some people call that making New Year’s resolutions.

I think viewing it as a New Year’s resolution might trivialize your effort as making a promise to yourself that you will quickly break.

And maybe in a sense that was true. But there were decades when we seriously talked about our New Year’s resolutions. I can remember many a New Year’s Eve celebration when we talked about our own road map to personal improvement.

Of course, many of the New Year’s resolutions were the same, with the two most popular ones being trying to lose weight or stopping smoking.

During those years there were many times when I did have success in making a New Year’s resolution that actually lasted for quite a while. One year I made a resolution to work at being healthier. I did that by following through on my promise to join a gym.

I joined a conditioning club an hour from my house but it was worth the trip.

Just joining a gym doesn’t do much in and of itself. It has to be the right gym for you. If you don’t enjoy the vibes and the classes, you won’t stick to it.

I lucked out in finding the right gym for me and stayed with it for years. It was incredibly helpful in making it easy to keep my promise to stay healthy.

That was years ago and it’s been a long time since I belonged to a gym.

Like many people, I have good excuses why I don’t join a gym. Maybe that will come this year, maybe not. It all depends on health issues.

As the year comes to an end and we celebrate a new year, I focus on creating a new persona — a new me. I am realistic enough to know it is impossible to do more than to make a few changes. But I am a firm believer in knowing even small changes can have helpful results.

This has probably been the most stressful year of my life. Much of what used to bring me joy has disappeared. The hurricane that destroyed David’s house has forced social changes on us. It used to be so easy to walk a block of two to my favorite neighbors. But now that we have moved to the next town, I’m finding it much harder to stay close to those neighbors.

There is no longer the opportunity to go for a walk and chat with neighbors along the way. Now, every get-together has to be scripted and has to fit into the busy lifestyles we all have at this time of year.

Friends who moved away told me they too were surprised at how much harder it is to stay close.

What I learned is that when you get older it becomes harder to make new friends. And when you do, it takes a while to develop the closeness of old friends.

Knowing this, I’ve made a few resolutions to bring about a little change.

I know it is imperative for me to find ways to have fun.

Even since the hurricane I’ve been tied up with important business. It’s surprising how much work it is to do the paperwork and make many, many phone calls related to the home that is no longer there.

Important decision have to be made. Will we try to rebuild the house, or sell it as-is?

Those decisions were easier when we were younger.

All that, coupled with new health concerns, have squeezed much of the fun out of our lives.

Did you ever go through something that seems to swallow much of your time and energy until you finally tell yourself you have to make some serious changes in your life.

You have to find a way to have some fun.

My friend Jeanne told me I have to schedule fun, just like I schedule a doctor’s appointment.

“If you don’t put it on your calendar it will never happen,” she says.

I know she’s right. When I bought her a birthday present of tickets for a play it was a busy week but we took the day off and enjoyed it. Had I not paid for the tickets in advance we probably would not have gotten together that week.

I never thought I would get to the point where I have to schedule fun.

I also have to work at lessening stress. I never thought that would happen either. But I am determined to make those little changes in my life.

I don’t believe we are the exact same person from year to year.

At least, we don’t have to be if we make an effort to be better this year than in the past.

Think about it.

What would you like to improve about yourself?

Will you actually do it?

Email Pattie Mihalik at newsgirl@comcastnet