It’s that time of the year when the annual debate arises: “are new year resolutions worth it? Why, or why not?” Opinions vary. Aradhna Sethi takes you through some trivia and opinions.
Now it the time where all magazines and sites – be they health and fitness focused or self development focused try to traverse through the need (or not) of new year resolutions and how to stick to them. You hear it all – yes, no, maybe.
Whatsapp trivia has its own take on new year resolutions – especially for people of Indian origin. I was completely amused by the one on “extended deadlines for new year resolutions”. Yes – for those connected to India – we have New Year resolution extensions running through January 1 to March, which is the Telugu and Kannada New Year, flowing into April – Tamil New Year, August that hails the Parsi New Year, November, which brings in the Gujari New Year… and everything in between with Punjabi, Maharashrian, Bengali New years and more! There’s always time for that New Year Resolution to kick in!
Amused by this, I thought, why not check out what the team of our own Namaste Switzerland thinks about this topic of resolutions – and here are some of the responses that flew out of our little team:
Rajan Thambehalli, our contributor and founder of Quizzeria says, “New Year resolutions – personally, I am not a fan. It is a good starting point, though. I asked my niece about this and she believes that the concept works for a few weeks and then goes downhill. It all depends on what the objectives are, and whether they are far-fetched or achievable. If resolutions are meant for improvement, why wait or put a marker?
But then again, it might work as a wonderful marker for those who are time driven and goal oriented. I love time-based challenges, and a new year resolution could prove to be one such marker for me to achieve my yearly targets similar to the corporate life…
Chetana Parameswar – our wonderful columnist for all that creative deliciousness says, “The best things in life have come to me unplanned, with or without new year resolutions. I go with the flow.” While her husband writes in to tell us about his, “Musings@10pm” His sense of humour comes through, “My geriatric neighbours will most certainly have a view on New Year resolutions, unless Benjamin Button has something to do with it. The sacrosanct convention of a yearly purge and the unimaginable jaw-dropping inspiration behind has yet to be fully understood. Something that neither existentialism nor communism (remember the five year resolutions) nor Veganuary nor attention deficit disorders can fully explain. Certain interstellar fruit bearing plants and the now exiled white crested royal Jugalo could do some justice to the topic but that’s beside the point, isn’t it?: he says, wishing the readers and our team a Happy New Year all. And, we also hear, “Great job with the site!” Thank you, Param, for your wishes and interesting musings.
Shinta Simon, our lady who makes magic in her kitchen, and a co-founder of Namaste Switzerland says, “My view on resolutions – definitely worth it. Despite so much cynicism surrounding the idea, the new year is the perfect time to take stock of the last year and to set personal goals for the year ahead. But, set realistic goals rather than lofty ones. For example, plan to run 2 times a week, rather than sign up for a gym membership and then burn out by the end of January. Extreme goal setting can backfire! I also like the idea of keeping one word that acts as a compass for the year. Focus on a singular word for the year – such as ‘Joy’ or ‘Gratitude’ or ‘Hope’. This can help you focus and steer you when you feel burdened with doubt. Realistic goal-setting trumps lofty and grandiose plans. As the year progresses, we anyway keep course-correcting and working on professional and personal improvement, but a nudge in the right direction at the beginning of the year makes for a great start to the year.”
Keerthana Nagarajan – our creative video expert and co-founder of Namaste Switzerland says, “I like making New Year resolutions. Though over the years, I have realised it’s important to set (fewer) goals that are achievable – be it for your family, health, career, a new skill that you would like to learn or a certification. And then, review it in six months to assess the progress you have made and modify or work on a new plan accordingly.” Her husband, Balajee keeps it short and simple, “Not worth it,” he says. “You can make resolutions anytime. Making it only on New Year is another form of pro-castination.”
Manasa – our enterprising IT specialist in user experience and creativity of all sorts, and also the co-founder says, “Resolutions have been part of my new year ritual since I remember. I also remember not ever committing to them! However, this has not dampened my spirit to make resolutions every year. There is no harm in making resolutions even if we do break them. Somewhere at the back of our minds, we at least know what we would like to do or who we would like to become; subconsciously we will work towards our goal. I firmly believe that we will do what we need to do when the time comes. That time could be a new year, a new decade or at any other time – but once we resolve, we just do it!”
And as for me, I guess, I do feel the necessity to make a fresh start at the beginning of the year- look back and see what I want to and can change about myself to be a better me for my family and friends – and for ME! So I try and make bite-sized resolutions that I can stick to, generate a ‘mantra for the time being’ – and go with the flow.
Here’s wishing each one of you a very Happy 2020. New Year resolutions or not – don’t forget to have fun and enjoy every moment that life brings to you!
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed belong solely to the content provider. Namaste Switzerland does not undertake any financial/reputational/legal/misrepresentational impact or other obligations/ liabilities that may arise from the content.
