New Year, New Us? The Jury's Out On That One!

Welcome Back!

Hello from a very wintery county Cavan! Is it too late to say Happy New Year? Are we over that now? I always feel the New Year is much more exciting than Christmas, so I'm probably going to keep at it for another couple of weeks! This year, for the first time since I was about ten, I was asleep by the time 2023 became 2024 - did I miss anything? How did you celebrate? Or did you sleep through it, too?

Now that the tree's taken down and the decorations have been put away for another year, things can look a bit...well, January-ish. It's easy to feel glum after the bright lights of Christmas and let's face it, January is a long month. Could this be why we try to distract ourselves by committing to new things at the start of the year? Maybe this old phrase as Gaelige gives a hint, too. "Tús maith, leath na hoibre" - pronounced toos mah, la na hibra - means a good start is half the work. If you start January well, then your whole year is likely to fall in line accordingly.

New Year's Resolutions

We're a bit of a mixed bag aboard the good ship MIJ this year. A few of us have decided that we're very much over the idea of resolutions and are reasonably content with who we are and what we're about; one of the advantages of getting a little older, perhaps? A couple more are making gradual and long-term changes, and some of us (*cough*Ciarán*cough*) have decided that we will try to learn new skills from our colleagues and friends rather than head down the traditional online course/night school route. Yes, you may well wait with bated breath; we wouldn't have guessed it either!

Here are the answers I got when I asked my colleagues, "Do you have any resolutions for 2024?"

Ciarán

Yes, I do! Much as I try to break it up, my role in MIJ involves long hours of sitting at a desk and working at a screen. It's a problem for most of us, isn't it? And we know the damage it can do to our bodies. The answer is to move as much as you can when you can, so getting outside is extremely important to our family. This time of year, especially when it's this cold and grey, you don't always want to head out on long treks, and the roads have been icier than I'd like for cycling over the last few weeks. So I've hatched a cunning plan! I'm going to persuade Danny to teach me some Irish dance steps. Irish dancers practice for years, so it's something that I'd have to work at, but it's also great cardio, and our daughters might enjoy it, too. I don't know what Jane will say if I try to turn our living room into a dance studio, but perhaps she will come to see the benefits...

Claire

It's not a resolution as such, but I'd like to get back to walking more. I used to be better at taking advantage of the amazing county I live in. The Wicklow Way's on my doorstep, so I've no excuse, and there's always something new to see. This year, I will be getting my walking boots on and going on more adventures with my hiking buddies!

Danny.

Apparently, I'm going to be teaching Ciarán to dance! Not sure how that'll go, to be honest. I haven't taught anyone before, other than myself. Let's hope we're still friends at the end of it!

Umm, otherwise, I probably just need to take better care of myself. The fact that the coffee shop downstairs has closed might make my days in the office a little less caffeine-heavy, I suppose. Last year, I got loads better at cooking at home and eating a bit more healthily, so I'll keep going with that. More new recipes, and fruit and veg - all the usual stuff! Avoiding the chipper on the way home on Thursdays wouldn't do any harm, though I'll miss it.

Gemma

I finished three books in December and it's reignited my love of reading. Over the past two years, I took up Krav Maga and football coaching for a local girls' team, and I love both activities; they give me huge satisfaction. But reading took a backseat a bit unless I was on holiday. I want to build on the habit I've picked up again, and if I read two books a month, I'd be thrilled. I've already finished the first one for January!

Jane

My only resolutions are quite boring: I'm determined to declutter our garage and work on our garden. Oh, but I'd like to do more sea swimming, too. We live close to the sea, and nothing is quite as invigorating! We take advantage of the great beaches all along the Dublin coast as often as we can because they're a wonderful resource for adults and children, and the wildlife is always a joy to see.

Jill.

I'm not usually fussed about resolutions, but I will try to eat some vegetables and fruit this year. I'm determined! I never met a cake or sweet thing I didn't like, but I need to start building up to my five a day. We'll see how that goes - I'm going to finish the last of the Christmas sweets in the office before I start though - they'd only be a distraction!

Margaret

No, because most people don't stick to them anyway, and decisions or plans can be made at any time of the year. I usually want to start feeling fitter and more active when the spring comes around and the days get longer. When it's cold and damp like this, I start dreaming of my first golf trip of the year in Spain. Just the thought of the sun helps get me through January!

Vicky.

I definitely want to be more mindful of my spending habits, so that's a big one for 2024. My only other goal is to find an antique writing desk so I can keep my workspace separate. Preferably, a Victorian oak roll top: something like this, but in better condition. I'm also quite smitten with this Harland & Wolf's clerk's desk, which no one has bought yet! You can see why I mention spending habits in the same breath, right?

Onwards, Then!

So, that's us - what about you? Have you made a plan for learning a new skill, or reinforcing a good habit? Do you think resolutions are a waste of time, or has one changed your life? We'd love to hear your stories and your inspiration as we start our new year - share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

We wish you an excellent start to 2024, and a January that last its appropriate thirty-one days, instead of the usual seventy-eight!