by Yuliya Panfil

It’s that time of year again. Those joyous weeks of stuffing your face with gingerbread cookies and gulping mulled wine while making vague commitments to be a better person next year.

I’m lazy. Which means the chances I’ll stick with a New Year’s resolution are directly correlated with how far I need to travel to accomplish it. If you’re like me, then this is the local list for you. Here are five New Year’s resolutions and the local places to accomplish them that you can accomplish without leaving the neighborhood. These aren’t the only examples… go explore and find all the local places you can achieve your goals! Let us know what your New Year resolutions are!

1. Get in shape.

The classic. Petworth does not have an abundance of workout spaces, but there are some options, for any budget. And, gyms often run New Year’s specials because… well… see above.

There’s options for working out locally (courtesy of Petworth Fitness)

If you’re looking for a weights / cardio workout and are ready to shell out some cash, check out Petworth Fitness (1240 Upshur St NW), behind Ace Hardware. The gym hosts crossfit classes, but also offers “fast fit” classes that are more cardio based. Monthly packages start at $170.

Lighthouse gets a new new location on Kennedy (photo courtesy of Lighthouse Yoga)

If you’re looking for a yoga workout, check out Lighthouse Yoga (502 Kennedy St NW), which recently moved from the Upshur area to Kennedy Street. It’s a beautiful space with lots of light and two separate yoga rooms that offer different kinds of yoga as well as meditation. Best of all? They offer two weeks of unlimited classes for $30 to new students, so you can check it out to see if you like it.

DC offers some great amenities at their DPR facilities (photo courtesy of Google Maps)

If you want to get in shape without spending a dime, check out the fitness room at Raymond Recreation Center (3725 10th St NW). The room has treadmills, ellipticals, bike machines, weight machines and free weights, and is completely free. Across the hall, the rec center has a full sized indoor basketball court, as well as a volleyball net.

2. Read more books.

We all read on our smartphones these days, but there’s something special about curling up with a physical book. Luckily Petworth has got you covered, whether you’re looking to buy or borrow.

Loyalty Books (827 Upshur St NW) is a great indie bookstore on the Upshur drag. The shop, formerly Upshur Books, carries a carefully curated collection of books and hosts book clubs, readings, and other community events almost every night. If they don’t have the book, they can order it. If you prefer to sip while you read, you’re in luck — the back of the bookstore is connected to Petworth Citizen’s Reading Room bar.

Used books, kids’ yoga and story time (photo courtesy of Walls of Books)

If you’re in the market for second-hand books, check out Wall of Books (3325 Georgia Ave NW), next door to the post office. The store carries more than 30,000 books and hosts a multitude of community events, including a kids’ storytime.

If you’re looking to borrow a book, start with the Petworth Library (4200 Kansas Ave NW). While it’s easy to pop in and out, take a moment to explore what this community space has to offer. The library hosts a multitude of writer’s workshops, free computer classes, kids’ story times, and more. Or, check out the multitude of little free libraries dotting the Petworth neighborhood. This map lists at least two locations in Petworth, but is definitely incomplete as there’s a library around the corner from my house that isn’t listed. So just keep your eyes peeled. You probably won’t find the specific book you’re looking for, but you may find an unexpected gem you wouldn’t have otherwise picked up.

3. Stop buying new clothes.

Not only are clothes expensive, but “fast fashion” is receiving more scrutiny for its impact on the environment. H&M literally burns the mountains of clothes it cannot sell; not very green. Luckily, Petworth has a couple of wonderful second-hand shops that will help you feed your shopping addiction with a little less guilt.

Plenty of options to add to or create a new wardrobe.

Fia’s Fabulous Finds (806 Upshur St NW) is just that — fabulous. The shop sells clothing for every age and size (starting with 12-month olds, and including plus sizes) and often carries brand names. The clothes are carefully curated and always in pristine condition, so you don’t have to dig through trash to find your treasure. Fia’s also sells shoes, jewelry and handbags, and just opened a home goods section in its basement! Visit their Instagram (@fiasfabfinds) for inspiration.

A consignment shop that gets new items daily (photo courtesy of Second Story Boutique)

Just a few blocks down the road is Second Story Boutique (3903 Georgia Ave NW), right across from Safeway. This small upstairs store carries everything from consignment Valentino suits to spike stiletto embroidered boots. New pieces arrive daily.

4. Eat less meat.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a carnivore. My husband and I have a standing Friday night takeout order at Slash Run (I get the Le Petit Mort burger, he gets the Morning Glory).

But the fact is most of us eat way more meat than we actually need, and our meat consumption is wrecking the planet. Studies show that while meat and dairy provide just 18% of our calories, its production accounts for 60% of all of agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions. So where can you turn for hearty and tasty vegetarian meals?

Veggie soups and more that taste as good as they look (courtesy of Soup Up)

Soup Up (709 Kennedy Street NW) is my favorite veggie find. Their soups are jam packed with different types of veggies, and carry a serious Jamaican kick. I eat a bowl of veggie soup and feel sated. Their soups change every few days, so call ahead to see what they have, or swing by for a sample. Don’t worry, they carry non-veggie options (my favorite is the Breakfast in Bed) as well as smoothies, spring rolls, and other treats.

Try the Ethiopian coffee service at Buna Coffee Shop

My other favorite is Buna coffee shop (4400 Georgia Avenue NW). Not only does this Ethiopian cafe have killer coffee (they carry the Swings brand, and their nitro is on point), but they have an array of vegan and vegetarian breakfast and lunch items. My favorite is the lentil samosas they keep on top of the counter. Best of all — this coffee shop actually has seating space, so you can post up with your laptop and enjoy your veggie meal while you work.

All kinds of meat, diary, breads and more can be found at the Market

Want to cook your own? Check out the Petworth farmers market, which runs every Saturday morning from May to November, on the corner of 9th and Upshur Street NW. The market hosts multiple vendors selling fresh fruits, veggies and cheese from local farms, as well as vendors selling vegan desserts and other treats. (There’s a new, indoor farmers marketing coming soon to Park View… details soon!)

5. Take care of yourself.

“Self care” is a trope for a reason. Being an adult is exhausting. I admit that after working a full day, cooking dinner, and putting my toddler to bed, my self-care routine involves pouring a big glass of red wine and vegging out on my phone. But there are probably healthier (or at least more varied!) ways to give yourself a break. Here are a few local options:

From terrariums to resume building and more, the Lemon Collective is about making more of yourself.

Learn a new hobby at the Lemon Collective (808 Upshur St NW). Hobbies like painting and knitting are great ways to relieve stress, and Lemon Collective helps you learn them in a low key, social environment. The craft classroom currently offers one-day courses on everything from terrarium making and flower arranging, to watercolor painting and earring making. Take a class this winter, and spend the rest of 2020 perfecting your new skill.

Volunteer your time at the Georgia Avenue Family Support Collaborative (4420 Georgia Ave NW). Sometimes the best way to take care of yourself is to take care of others. GAFSC runs a suite of support programs for at-risk families in Ward 4. Lend a hand by staffing events, or by teaching a workshop on resume writing, interviewing, and other practical skills.

Get a massage at Bluebell Spa (3705 14th St NW, Suite 2). Opt for the classic self-care move, with a massage and facial at this Petworth spa. The reviews are fantastic, and with massages starting at $60, it’s a nice special occasion splurge that won’t break the bank.

There are many different options right in the neighborhood — go look and find something that you’ll love as 2020 rolls in.