What are your new year’s resolutions?

Starting the year with a commitment to self-improvement

What are your new year’s resolutions?

2018 is now a week old (or only has 51 weeks left, depending on your outlook), and by now many of us have probably thrown ourselves into our new year resolutions. 

The Evening Standard published a list of the Top 10 resolutions for 2018, and there aren’t many surprises:

1. Eat better

2. Exercise more

3. Spend less money

4. Self care (i.e. get more sleep)

5. Read more books

6. Learn a new skill

7. Get a new job

8. Make new friends

9. Get a new hobby

10. Focus more on appearance

I must confess I have subscribed to a few of these for the annual task of self-improvement. I used to be a voracious reader, and fell out of the habit when I went to university. Having left I thought I’d pick it up again, but never really did, so I’m making an extra special effort in 2018 to do so. 

I have just finished reading Book 15 of the Deluxe Edition of Fables, which collates the last published comics. Someone was definitely chopping onions while I read it! Once I finish a Batman novel I was gifted, I intend to move onto something a bit more meaty -  Michael Wolff’s controversial book on President Drumpf for example. Then perhaps Hillary Clinton’s What Happened to get some contrast. Maybe some George Orwell down the line, although I wasn’t a big fan of 1984

One goal of 2018 is to travel more. I have always wanted to visit every accessible continent (sorry, Antarctica) and I’m currently just one away, with South America yet to play host. I also had a subgoal of 20 countries by 20, but sadly I never achieved it - I am currently on 18 at the age of 23, and that’s including individual countries in the UK. As such, I hope to visit at least 6 new countries this year, although in the back of my mind I’m unrealistically hoping to double that.

Otherwise, my big goal of 2018, or rather, my life going forwards, is to ‘do more stuff’. I work from home almost exclusively and it is very easy to get stuck in the rut. You work, eat, sleep and relax all in the same place, and then before you know it you haven’t left the house in a week. 

To get all morbid for a minute, life is finite and I’m very close to 24 years of age. I’ve never done a run for charity, I’ve never been glass blowing, or completed a fire walk. Writing a book is daunting, and I’ve only the most basic understanding of how to solder. There are a number of classic films I’ve never watched, and so many people I haven’t messaged in years. There is so much to do and so much to learn, and I think I’m finally ready to get going. 

What are your goals?

But enough about me. What are you hoping to achieve this year? Are you looking to learn a new skill perhaps? Portrait painting, playing the harpsichord, or even learning a foreign language - we would love to hear what you want to get out of 2018!

Share your goals for 2018 - Register for an account and post a blog. Use the tag 'develop2018' so we can find your post!

Author

Tom Inniss

Tom Inniss Voice Team

Tom is the Editor of Voice. He is a politics graduate and holds a masters in journalism, with particular interest in youth political engagement and technology. He is also a mentor to our Voice Contributors, and champions our festivals programme, including the reporter team at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

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2 Comments

  • Emrys Green

    On 10 January 2018, 09:30 Emrys Green Voice Team commented:

    Getting healthier is a must. But I like your thoughts of travel and books. I’ve made a start on the book front already with the complete stories of Sherlock Holmes!

  • Luke Taylor

    On 10 January 2018, 10:02 Luke Taylor Contributor commented:

    I'm also up for reading! Currently starting "Watchmen" before I hopefully move on the "The Killing Joke"

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