Watching The Holiday for the third time this holiday season, I think signals that the actual holidays are over. Every morsel of food in the kitchen has been eaten, midnight has struck, the bubbles have fizzed, and the decorations are becoming tiresome. And nothing indicates 'a new year' like the bloatedness of a stomach and the inability to go to the toilet (sorry). I'll happily not eat another mince pie for a whole year. Or hear another Christmas carol.
And so, the 1st of January, the start of a new year, is the time to analyse the past year and take on the new, with the revitalised hope and enthusiasm to improve, better and generally promise oneself things that, usually, one breaks within a week. Why is it we do that? Does anyone ever stick to their resolutions? I tried to put pen to paper the other night, digging around for an answer to that question someone will inevitably ask me. And in order to not seem like a complete cynic (realistic?), I came up with one. One I already know I am going to fulfil: to travel more. Is it right to make a resolution you know you are already going to fulfil? Are there rules to the appointment of a resolution? More to the point, do people even remember their resolutions seven days post New Years day? So far, the word 'resolution' has not been uttered, maybe people have decided to live their lives without the worry of another task they have not yet completed. Like those ten-odd books that are waiting to be read, like that letter that still needs to be written and the million and one other things that niggle us every night, that overwhelm us with guilt as soon as our heads hit our pillows. No one likes to feel guilt, no one likes to fail, so unless you wholeheartedly believe you are going to stick to one, why bother making one?
What do you all think of resolutions? Do you make them? And more importantly, do you stick to them?
Now, I'm going to see this film to the end, but for one reason only, Jude Law. Now, if I had him, that's one resolution I'd definitely be keeping...
And so, the 1st of January, the start of a new year, is the time to analyse the past year and take on the new, with the revitalised hope and enthusiasm to improve, better and generally promise oneself things that, usually, one breaks within a week. Why is it we do that? Does anyone ever stick to their resolutions? I tried to put pen to paper the other night, digging around for an answer to that question someone will inevitably ask me. And in order to not seem like a complete cynic (realistic?), I came up with one. One I already know I am going to fulfil: to travel more. Is it right to make a resolution you know you are already going to fulfil? Are there rules to the appointment of a resolution? More to the point, do people even remember their resolutions seven days post New Years day? So far, the word 'resolution' has not been uttered, maybe people have decided to live their lives without the worry of another task they have not yet completed. Like those ten-odd books that are waiting to be read, like that letter that still needs to be written and the million and one other things that niggle us every night, that overwhelm us with guilt as soon as our heads hit our pillows. No one likes to feel guilt, no one likes to fail, so unless you wholeheartedly believe you are going to stick to one, why bother making one?
What do you all think of resolutions? Do you make them? And more importantly, do you stick to them?
Now, I'm going to see this film to the end, but for one reason only, Jude Law. Now, if I had him, that's one resolution I'd definitely be keeping...
Picture: Istanbul (European Capital of Culture 2010) at sunset. Where I shall be February of this year. Resolution: done. But then I already knew that, didn't I?
2 comments:
I don't really get the whole new years resolution thing. What's so special about January 1st? If you decide to do something, just do it, no matter what the date. I think the pressure of making ny resolutions can add to you failing anyway. I find that the things I really want to do, I get done, even if I have a few false starts!
style mansion: maybe people feel that if they make a new years revolution they will be more likely to carry it out, because if you make a resolution any time it won't be a special and you won't feel as bad not keeping it.
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