The close of a year and start of the next always makes me vaguely nostalgic.
There is a little reflection on world events, some personal tragedies and triumphs and inevitably a statement along the lines of
'I will find the time to do more next year'.
And that is about as close as I come to making a New Year's Resolution.
In fact I have never made one...oh...that is a lie, there was a half hearted attempt at not swearing which failed at about 4am on New Year's Day.
So it is always a surprise to me that so many people do. Research suggests that around 45% of the population start the New Year with one or more resolutions.
For some it is an opportunity to clean the slate and set a goal that will change their life for the better, others prefer to be more...whimsical. I asked some brave friends to share what they were looking forward to in 2013.
Wendy- "I am looking forward to being challenged at work in a new role."
Jack- "I will not ask google everytime I have a question. I will try and figure it out myself."
Peter- "I want do less laundry and use less deodarant, and keep my girlfriend."
Deanne- "To find my inner athlete."
Mary- "I look forward to completing the Sale to Sea (Kayak Challenge) and being more present in the moment."
Linda- "I want a balance: life, children,work."
Claire- "I will stop having an affair with chocolate and go on a date with a man."
And me, well in the spirit of trying new things....here is mine.
I look forward to, with those keen to join in, much more self propelled play time in the great outdoors, oh and not being embarassed to wear lycra in public.
Happy 2013. May it be your year.
