For comparison, my 2012 resolutions were:
(the ones highlighted are the one I completed)
1. Watch 450 out of 1001 (films to see before you die)
2. Read list of books (10 books in total, of varying lengths and genres)
3. Watch Dr Who DVDs and videos
4. Get first aid certificate
6. Try 8 new recipes
7. Learn to use chopsticks
8. Get rid of 1 memory box
9. Learn short hand
10. Write a feature film script
11. Ride the Bluebell railway.
2013's are...
1. Watch 500 out of 1001 films
2. Read list of books (9, one of which I finished this morning, and a trilogy included as 1)
3. Complete my Before 24 list (see below)
4. Learn to knit
5. Ride the Bluebell Railway
6. Make a roast dinner
7. Save £1000 for Australia
Since I achieved 7 last year, and may only be around in this country for 10 months, I thought I'd pare down the resolutions a bit. Although two of them refer to completing other lists (2 & 3). And ride the Bluebell is back on there, because I really want to do it, and I want to do it. Riding the Bluebell and making a roast dinner are ones that can be achieved in one day and with relative ease.
And after a shaky start, I think I'm making progress on number 4.
Years ago, my resolutions would have included vague desires such as "Gain self-esteem" and "Lose weight" (2 years ago, it was "Lose 8lbs, which is less vague).
These are the unattainable type of resolution, because much as I am all keen to do it, I never have the discipline or make the plan to achieve them. (And how the hell does one go about gaining self-esteem anyway? Read lots of contradictory books of how to feel the fear and be happy in 7 days?)
N.B This year's 'Learn to knit' poses a similar problem. When can one say one has learned to knit? I have learned the knitting stitch, I know the basics. Will it be when I make my first item? Inevitably, this first item is going to be either a scarf, or a large rectangle that I will claim is a blanket for my cat.
N.B.B or N.B2 or whatever it is - my resolution of 'Write a feature film script' was a similarly unattainable through lack of discipline kind of resolution. But one day. One day...
I like goals, and I like lists. I like making resolutions, but I don't feel too bad if I don't achieve them. I throw in easy ones (like this year's 'Get rid of on memory box' which consisted of going through all my memory boxes and looking at everything and if I couldn't remember what memory I was meant to be remembering, I got rid of the thing) so that I can tick something off the list.
I like ticking things off lists more than I like making the lists themselves. I'm sure I'm not the only one.
This year's resolutions include 'Complete Before 24 list' which consists 6 activities or tasks I want to do before I turn 24 in April:
1. Play a full game of Monopoly
2. Visit Ireland
3. Learn to light a BBQ
4. Learn to mow grass
5. Get 4th tattoo
6. Get a credit card
I've already completed number 4, and number 5 is being designed. I fear that by April the weather will not have been warm enough to light a BBQ, and also we don't actually own a BBQ anymore...
I suppose my unwritten resolution, which I will face a daily battle of achieving, is stay true to myself, and live my life for me. Lest I sound like a weirdo with trust issues, you can only really rely on yourself (although I cannot rely on my body all the time, damn headache.) People have their own lives, and their own problems, and their own resolutions.
New Year's is all about change, but I'm not changing for anyone but myself.
Here's to the New Year!
And here's to making resolutions (and lists) :D
