He says, She says
This month, EAMONN mulls over the fine art of hitting the targets we set ourselves, and confesses that his resolutions include eating more healthily, worrying less – and wearing posh socks…
STRUGGLING WITH NEW YEAR Hang RESOLUTIONS? in there!
So Saturday is 12 January, and by then (so they say), most people will have already fallen by the wayside when it comes to keeping their New Year resolutions. If you’re one of them, don’t give up – it might not be you that’s the problem. It might just be The Resolution.
We’re all imperfect, so we all have room for improvement – that’s why I am a great believer in resolutions. Ruth completely disagrees, making it clear that she will not be forced into any resolution whatsoever because she doesn’t believe in them.
Fair enough. But I am of the school of thought put forward by the biologist Charles Darwin, who said that species either evolve or die… and I know which sounds the most fun!
My lovely wife, in contradiction, will advance the argument that, like Mary Poppins, she is already ‘practically perfect in every way’. Although that is more or less correct, there are a number of things which, I would privately suggest to her, perhaps need, shall we say, ‘tweaking’!
On the other hand, I know my limitations only too well. I am a flawed human being, and those of us who see ourselves as such are probably more interesting as a result.
If you identify with Ruth and shun the ‘New Year, New You’ philosophy, could it be because you are scared? Of defeat, of disappointing yourself – therefore, the easiest option is not to hold yourself up to judgement?
I know that I’m a work in progress and always will be, but I actually like the challenge, believing that it’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
At this stage, you’re probably thinking, ‘If you’re so good at this resolution lark, Eamonn, why haven’t you lost any weight?’ That’s because I’m not as stupid as I look – and, to that end, I like setting myself achievable New Year resolutions, immediately ruling out the weight-loss thing.
As I have already said, ‘I am flawed!’ The result is that I don’t mope over what I haven’t done, so the smallest thing can seem like the biggest achievement. I believe in playing to your strengths, not your weaknesses. At school, I avoided rough games and anything that was remotely pugilistic, believing that, eventually, my face would be my fortune, honing in on the pretty-boy non-contact sports like tennis, golf… you get the idea. In short, know your limitations! Previous achievements going into the new year have included: walking the dog more, breathing more fresh air and feeling the sun on my face. Also, keeping technologically up-to-date, to avoid being the modern-day equivalent of a Luddite. In addition, as a result of my resolutions, I now read more, sleep more, work slightly less and make time for the people who really matter to me.
This year, I resolve to wear nicer, higher-quality socks, enjoy my car more, watch less football (Manchester United excepted), avoid locking horns with Ruth, eat more fruit and vegetables
and eat less meat, carbs and takeaways (I’ll need all your positive vibes on that one). I also resolve to become suppler (it’s Pilates that does it) and worry a lot less.
Not only are all these wishes achievable, they are also enjoyable. It’s a win-win situation. It’s New Year and, if it’s not exactly a new me, it’s an improved me.
If I can do it, so can you – yes, even you, Ruth! It just requires a little change in mindset. Let’s think about what we CAN do, instead of what we CAN’T.