BY JAN NARY
Evolving as hunter-gatherers in a natural world has patterned us to have rituals around the seasons, the phases of the moon, solstices and turning points in the year, hence our New Year celebrations – complete with New Year’s resolutions.
New Year’s resolutions are reputed to have started in Babylon 4,000 years ago at crop planting time, traditionally including intentions of renewing loyalty to the king, paying debts and returning things you’d borrowed – like your neighbour’s wheelbarrow.
Julius Caesar shifted the New Year to January in honour of Janus, the two-faced deity of transition who looked forward and backward, and in the 18th century, John Wesley strove to subdue the usually riotous celebrations into Methodist sobriety and a determination to be better people in the coming year.
Our resolutions are probably the product of things that have been chewing at us for a while; the need to lose weight, to exercise more, to quit smoking, to reduce alcohol consumption, to take up a mind-improving hobby…The opportunities are numerous, but we have to really want change to achieve them, and if we understand our motivation for seeking change, we’re less likely to revert to old habits that we’re comfortable with.
Psychologists have pointed out that many resolutions fail (about 90% is one assessment), because they’re too big or there are too many of them, and that we may have better luck if we make them a series of smaller steps rather than an indigestible chunk.
So what are some of our neighbours intending for the brave new year?
Lorraine, Capalaba: No resolutions because I wouldn’t keep them, but I do make little lists of parts of my life – health, creativity, career – that need attention in the coming year.
Jim, Cleveland: I don’t make them and people I know who do either break them or forget them – I think they’re an urban myth.
Kathy, Capalaba: Every year I resolve to lose weight, but this year I’m going to do it – because I need to stay healthy for my grandchildren.
Ian, Wellington Point: I wouldn’t keep them, so I don’t make any.
Fiona, Cleveland: I don’t make them – I don’t have time!
Cheryl, Wellington Point: Every challenge is an opportunity – make the resolutions as you need them!
So maybe now is a good time for reflection – and for returning that wheelbarrow to the neighbour.
