The year, 2018 is here and fresh. Without doubt, many must have set some new goals or targets to be met. The phenomenon is otherwise referred to as New Year Resolution.
Traditional as the phenomenon may have become, it goes without saying that the resolutions are oftentimes made just for the fun of it. They are hardly met as the individuals concerned are hardly able to adhere to them.
Although it is not in all cases that most people don’t want to realize the resolutions, to a large extent, they lack the discipline to see it through. Many of the things they resolve to fight have become habits and fighting them is always akin to punishment, even when the resolve to do away with them was made by the people themselves. That is why some of the issues rear their heads as topics for consideration every beginning of a new year. Here are some of the issues many struggle to fight under the excuse of New Year Resolution:
Staying fit and getting healthy: Almost everyone writes or takes this as a New Year resolution; as a matter of fact it comes as number one on the list. January sees people register in gyms. They get their brand new colourful gym wears, make up or register with a coach for healthy meal plans. They go to the gym, take a lot of mirror selfies. After the pictures, they run a little on the treadmill and off they go. The crazy fact? They reward themselves with pounded yam and egusi for 30mins of picture taking and 25 minutes on the treadmill!
The next day does not get any better. Some would decide to go out to jog in order to burn more calories under the excuse that the fresh air will do some good because the gym was too stuffy. But then, the alarm goes off at 6:00 a.m. What happens? They roll over, stop the bell and sleep off. “I cannot come and kill myself and die, jare,” some would say. It’s just a little fat, afterall. And so the cycle continues till it is another New Year and it goes again in the resolution jotter.
Saving money: It always sounds nice to decide at the beginning of the year that one would be financially responsible. One starts planning out all fixed income down to the very last. One even has a plan for the occasional miscellaneous. This goes well for a month or so and then a few months down the line one finds oneself going out every Friday night because there’s a new club or lounge that opened that one just has to see! For the guys, it’s a new spot so all the babes are going to be there. The money meant to be saved starts going off the wallets, all in the name of trying to get some green bottles for the next table because there is a babe there to be toasted.
READ ALSO: New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern pregnant
For the ladies, some stick to it as well for some time until suddenly, the boutiques start stocking up and every piece of clothing is “calling your name,” and “every shoe is your size.” One just has to buy that N30,000 “aso-ebi” that it is obvious one cannot afford. But because everyone would be at the “owambe” and of course, the besties will be there as well, the “aso-ebi” becomes a must-buy. Down the drain goes the savings. And how does anyone rationalise the fact that even as at June, not a dime is reserved in the bank. The simple thing many say is: “Abeg, it’s my money. I am working to enjoy it! What if I die now?” Well, we can always be financially responsible in 2019. Not so? Then financial prudence gets postponed again!
Getting closer to God: I have to get closer to God! Almost everyone says this every New Year. “My prayer life will get better!” “I will go to church more, I will join the work force this year!” Fine. But all these end after the mandatory fasting most churches do in January! February sees many go back to their regular (prayer-less) life. All of a sudden, they are too busy to join the work force. There’s just too much work and commitment involved. Surely God understands.
The rest of the year continues with many playing yo-yo with the things of God.
There are countless other resolutions that are made but are not seen through. Everyone likes the idea of goal setting but not the effort that goes into making it work!
But how can the problem be solved? The trick is to take it one day at a time, decide to just focus on the 24 hours before extending it. Particularly, one should say no to things that are not needed. One can also decide to focus on one area at a time and add to it as one progresses.
By this, some of the resolutions made this year, would not repeat their presence in the list of resolutions for next year.