Resolute in your resolutions?

‘A new year, a new me,’ – how many times do you hear that phrase in January?

The old year draws to a close, and to celebrate we indulge in copious amounts of food and drink. As a sign of guilt, we feel the need to make up for our December downfall and proclaim, ‘a new year, a new me.”

Looking back to 2014, a YouGov survey revealed that only a third of the people questioned made a resolution. Most commonly, we vow to eat healthier or exercise more, and this was backed up with the research which found 51% of those who make resolutions say they intend to do more exercise or improve fitness.

But with the year already over a week old, are your New Year’s resolutions still intact?

Making a resolution means you want to do something during the coming year, maybe better, differently or maybe just do full stop. However according to research, only 8% of people achieve their New Year’s resolutions.

The cynics out there are quick the jump on the bandwagon, ‘you’ll never do it...you’re only kidding yourself.’ And according to one UK survey, the vast majority of people don’t even make it through January before they throw the towel in. Yet for others, it provides a test of willpower, a year long journey working towards a target.

This year, why not break completely away from the traditional New Year’s resolutions we all dread and try something you love. Make a commitment to yourself to do things you previously didn’t make time for, for example read more or spend more time in the garden, or simply striving to be happy and healthy.

Support from those around you can make or break your resolution. Whether in the form of a gentle nudge or through celebrating each and every hurdle jumped, your resolution can be for the collective. Utilise the unconditional support that comes through being part of a family.

'Stay strong mum, we're watching you!'

If we were to choose three top tips for keeping your resolutions, they would be:

  1. Focus on one thing. Rather than try and change this, that and this again; focus on something specific and put your all into it.
  2. Enlist support from those closest to you. Share your resolution with them as well as targets and progress.
  3. Remember what made you choose it in the first place. If you made a resolution, you made it for a reason. Keep this reason in the back of your mind whilst you strive to achieve.

Resolutions are personal. Progress and targets are not for the onlooker to judge, they are personal to you – and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!

So no matter how small or how simple your resolution might be, you are not alone in your quest. Think about the long term benefits and why you made the resolution in the first place and remember, the year is 365 days long – there’s a long way to go.

Leave a reply