I’m not entirely certain of why and how New Years Resolutions began; I’m sure I could Google it and discover its origins, which would probably provide an interesting story.
I’m not entirely certain of why and how New Years Resolutions began; I’m sure I could Google it and discover its origins, which would probably provide an interesting story. But that’s not what I’m writing about, and frankly if you are curious you could easily Google it yourself.
I’m also not sure at what age I began coming up with my own resolutions. I think it was probably my mum who introduced me to the concept, which I ran with. I have now established somewhat of a tradition – my friend and I consume a bottle of something and try to list the things we want for the future.
They are always, if I look back at them, a mixture of both the absurdly worthy and unachievable i.e. I will become a better person and never bitch about anyone ever again.
Or they will be what I have regretted doing over the previous year, for example dressing up as prince charming and drinking so much I passed out – an act I committed at university in 2009 which I have not repeated, much to my own relief. Resolutions are in my opinion are very good thing. It gives you, if you like, a mission statement for the New Year, and even if your track record of only completing half of what you assigned yourself – it is the act of writing, of hoping to be a better person or rather to improve yourself, that is the truly great thing.
The effort, the thought and the hope you put into your resolutions are in my opinion one of the nicest things about New Years Eve. It is a way of saying goodbye to one year and hello to the new one, embracing and laughing at the follies of your past and desiring a brighter future. They can in their construction also be one of the funniest things to write.
The fact remains – New Years Resolutions are really where you put your wishes for the coming year. So they can be as practical as you like, or as wildly romantic, or completely impossible, because they are simply what you hope will happen.
I am pleased to say that out of the resolutions I made for 2011, of which numbered 10, I have managed seven, which isn’t too bad. But 2012 will be a better year; at least that’s what I hope.
