I know it’s EVERYWHERE at the moment - new year’s resolutions and whether people are making them, or find them more of a stick to beat yourself with. The days for talking about them are numbered though so I’d best be swift.
I’m on the fence about new year’s resolutions - sometimes I think they’re a good idea (that has never and will never include a January gym membership), other times I feel like they’re a bit pointless. But either way, I still see a New Year as a bit of a marker in the sand and chance to let go of anything negative from the year(s) before and start afresh.
This year I’ve decided to plan out the things I’d like to do/achieve but without very rigid timings attached (except for holidays as school holidays pin us down). I’m a bit of a contradiction in that I get bored quickly with some repetitive things yet can walk the same route most days and never tire of it. I resist being pinned down to too many rigid dates or tasks but I like being organised and find it motivating to have a clear plan.
Anyway, this years plan which I’ve roped my other half into doing (he seemed quite willing) will cover:
Holidays (of course)
Places/events we’d like to go to as a family - we’ll include Isla in that and could get some colourful suggestions which I always like hearing
Things for the house - there seems to be an ever growing list of things that need doing so we’ll focus in on a few to make it less overwhelming
Personal/work achievements
Health - I feel like this needs its own category. I’ve always enjoyed running but have had a few issues with my achilles over the last year so want to get back into it. I also want to do more yoga this year to help the stiffening joints and I’m thinking about sampling some very legal and legitimate mushroom supplements despite an irrational fear of mushroom poisoning ever since reading about the Australian mushroom poisonings.
Books - I usually read before bed but my book reading ground to a slow half after the summer. I’ve stop started with a few audio books and want to find a regular podcast to listen to. I’m not going to set a specific number to read or listen to just a commitment to ‘more’.
I won’t go overboard on any of these, a few for each so we can get to the end of the year and feel happy/smug rather than disappointed/lacking. I like to be vague enough that it doesn’t feel rigid and I’ve got a bit of choice.
Maybe it’s just me, but I also get an urge to have a massive clear out at the start of a new year. I’ve been an avid vinted user for a few years now so will likely find a few things to put on there. Sometimes I’d like to be more ruthless, but the old hoarding gene creeps in and I either attach a memory to an object, or see a piece of clothing that I reckon I might wear that year even though it hasn’t actually been worn for some time.
How do you view the New Year? Does it motivate you or do you see it as a non event? I’d love to hear what you think and if you have made any what your plans are for 2026.
*Thanks also to Fiona Jenks for the photo. They are a gift that keeps on giving!