New year. New opportunities. But new you? Probably not, but there’s still hope. Just because something is unlikely it doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Just look at Justin Bieber’s recent resurgence. What I prefer to see it as is – new year, same opportunities, pretty much same you, but perhaps a new attitude. More achievable, and something that shouldn’t be scorned just because you’ve decided to start around a particular time of year. Because what’s the harm in trying to punch away winter blues with a bit of chipper positivity?
“Join surfing, start salsa, jog up cardiac (poor joke, only a miracle can help with that)”
Luckily, there’s plenty of support around for those of us that are optimistic enough to attempt a self-spring-clean. Most societies let you sign up afresh, so if you previously weren’t brave enough, or capable to manage more than a croak whilst battling Freshers’ Flu, why not try now you’ve lived to tell the tale? If you attended zero auditions yet still envisage a Pitch-Perfect-esque life, don’t let it be a fantasy. Join surfing, start salsa, jog up Cardiac (poor joke, only a miracle can help with that – but yak about it to let us know if you do). But seriously, if you’ve always dreamed of making the perfect Victoria sponge then join Bake-soc, or if you really fancying making your friends and family horrid gifts for years to come, join Knit-soc. Cliché as it is, the world’s your oyster.
So, although the time of year shouldn’t stop anyone from becoming a ‘better’ person, pulling fewer all-nighters, or simply relighting that light within you that might’ve died during exams, why be a new-years’ Scrooge about what glorious opportunities 2016 brings? Yes, there are always the pessimists that will try to bring you down and doom you to fail, but pay them no attention – they’re not going to shift their Christmas bulges anytime soon. Although admittedly, with the naysayers, the ‘how-do-I-keep-at-this’ part is where problems occur, but don’t worry, I believe in you. MLK’s dream didn’t start a dream, and I have a dream that ‘new resolutions’ can and will still be utilising gym memberships by December. Or maybe just February, to start with.
Sakshi Raizada
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The majority of resolutions are made with the best of intentions, and are entirely admirable. Exercise more? Great physical and mental health benefits. Spend more time with family and friends? You’ll feel more supported and love yourself if you show people you care. Quit smoking or reduce alcohol intake? What kind of person is going to sniff at you for doing that?
“Growth must be chosen and wanted by the self, for the self”
There is absolutely nothing wrong with making commitments to yourself which will make you happier and healthier. In fact, that behaviour ought to be nurtured in every one of us. However, making these commitments just because everyone else is and you feel that you ought to, rather than want to, is simply inviting extra pressure into the next year of your life, coupled with guilt if you fail to keep to your resolutions, which, figures suggest, only an iron-disciplined eight per cent of us do. Hardly a positive beginning to the new chapter which you’ve been waiting months to start.
If you really want to make a New Year’s Resolution, make sure you are doing it with truly good interests, rather than just doing it to keep up appearances. Perhaps you mat even resolve to not bow to traditions that encourage you to think that you must be in some way insufficient. All of us are flawed, and we all have room for personal growth. But to be genuine, that growth must be chosen and wanted by the self, for the self. When it is coerced – even with a tiny bit of unwillingness – it has a strong (92 per cent!) chance of backfiring, and leaving us disappointed.
Emma Besset
Top 10 New Years Resolutions
- Lost weight
- Get organised
- Spend less, save more
- Enjoy life to the fullest
- Staying fit and healthy
- Learn something exciting
- Quit smoking
- Help others with their dreams
- Fall in love
- More family time