New Year’s Resolutions: Shall We Have a Go, or Just Say No?
What have you resolved to do in 2013? Perhaps you are one of the growing numbers of people who believe it best to “Just say No to New Year’s Resolutions.” Or maybe you are like others who find the New Year a time to reflect and make changes for the better. Whether it’s striving to get more organized, lose weight or change some aspect of your personality, New Year’s Resolutions are a way to have a heart-to-heart talk with yourself and try to become the person you would really like to be.
According to Time Magazine’s website (http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/completelist/0,29569,2040218,00.html), the top 10 New Year’s Resolutions are often the same year after year. Here are some from the list, examined somewhat subjectively.
1. Stop Smoking. As parents, we know that smoking is bad for our health and that secondhand smoke is bad for others, so if you do smoke, this resolution is a valid one and one to really work on: try to quit. In doing so, you might find you should add losing weight to your list, as quitting smoking often causes weight gain.
2. Get into an exercise routine. This goal is one that we all seem to strive for, but for parents, it can be tough, especially if the weather is bad (as it often is in Switzerland in the winter). I have personally found that taking the babies out for their daily fresh air can be part of a simple training session, and a mental pick-me-up as well. Pushing a stroller down to the Migros and back up again can really serve to warm us up. If you prefer the water element, find a time to go for a swim. If you can find a friend to motivate you, go for it, but if this friend wimps out, push yourself to go to the pool alone. Many towns have an exercise evening or club that partners a bit of socializing with a workout. Then there’s always Muki /Vaki Turnen (Parent-Child exercise classes, often offered at community centers), or the option of joining a gym with a babysitting service.
3. Lose weight. Being overweight is not good for our health: it is associated with some types of cancers, arthritis, diabetes and heart disease. But that’s not all: trying on clothes can prove frustrating and disheartening! This is a valid resolution, but one that could be very hard to keep, especially with all that decadent Swiss chocolate around at Christmas. Honestly, it’s been years since I fit into my pre-baby clothes, but I have lost weight recently, and it did transpire due to a New Year’s Resolution. The problem for me was trying to lose weight right after the New Year. I joined Weight Watchers, along with an endless group of other ladies who had the same idea, and we had to stand in line to weigh in on a weekly basis. That meant that in the month of January we all had a long, boring wait before we could find out if we had lost any grams or kilos since the previous weigh-in. While you’re writing resolutions, you could add being more patient to your list, and that might help if you have to wait in line.
4. Enjoy life more. I find this one quite strange. Does this mean that we should stop moping around and take a Salsa dancing course, smile more or try to find cleaning out the fridge more exciting? I know that there are tons of books out there to help me to find happiness, but I have not read them. Have you? Do they help? How can this be a resolution? Please comment!
5. Quit drinking. According to the website www.swissworld.org: “The consumption of alcohol (in Switzerland) has dropped considerably since the 1980s, and has continued to decline, although only slightly, in the 21st century. But consumption is unevenly spread: 11 percent of the population consumes half the alcohol, while 23 percent drinks little or none. Men drink more, and more frequently, than women. Switzerland is reckoned among the countries with a high level of alcohol consumption. A study carried out by the University of Neuchâtel put the cost to society of alcohol abuse at 6.7 billion francs per year. Switzerland, like other European countries, is concerned by the phenomenon of youth drinking. However, although in 2006 a quarter of 15-year-old boys and a sixth of girls said they drank at least one alcoholic drink every week, the figure was considerably lower than in a similar survey conducted in 2002.” Our children watch us and use our habits as a guide for their lives as they grow up. I have learned from my Hindu friend that alcohol is really not a must at a dinner party. She makes a wonderful warming tea that rivals even the best wines! This resolution seems to be a valid one, but, in my opinion, we should not feel too guilty about toasting to the New Year. Cheers and good health to you all!
6. Organize yourself. I resolve every year to become more organized, but I often fall back into the same patterns, especially when I am tired or stressed. However, I think that living in Switzerland has helped me a lot! With Ikea shopping so prevalent, we have plenty of creative storage ideas. Plus, it seems that every Swiss has numerous files for everything under the sun. In my opinion, marrying a Swiss is the best way to reach this particular goal. I did, and he has worked wonders for my organizational skills!
7. Learn something new. Let’s face it: we should all be lifetime learners. It keeps our minds sharper and it serves to inspire our children. There are numerous options out there for us. The Open University (http://www.open.ac.uk/www) has options for distance learning in English, as do many other schools and universities. But creative learning also counts, and there are all kinds of courses – from art classes in English, to flower arranging, to aerobics classes – where we can soak up new ideas on a different level. Check out the www.englishforum.ch website or www.xpatxchange.ch for more information.
8. Spend more time with your family. I usually include this on my list. It’s a no-brainer. I just love them all so much! My family is getting older now, though, and it’s not every day that we find ourselves at the dinner table together. I just booked tickets to see Salto Natale, the Knie Family’s winter circus, and I am really looking forward to that evening. The book The Creative Family: How to Encourage Imagination and Nurture Creativity by Amanda B. Soule offers some wise advice on how to kindle family bonds and instill creativity in our children. I find that making a weekly date with young children to accomplish chores together is a great way to stay in touch and to tackle the little things like bike maintenance, shoe cleaning, plant care or meal planning. Pencil in a weekly time, and help balance the family’s jobs while staying in touch with them.
9. Get out of debt. We are in Switzerland, where children learn to save their Rappen for a rainy day. I am not too sure that this is such a popular resolution here. I do not have it on my list; although, like any good consumer, I do have my debts. This is not high on my list; how about yours?
10. Help others. This seems to be a good resolution, but beware. If you have young children, you may find that you don’t have time to work outside the home at this point. Do not feel guilty: your time will come. You might find that attending a La Leche League meeting is a good way to start helping young mothers who need support. You also might find the book The Busy Family’s Guide to Volunteering by Jenny Friedman a helpful guide. According to the organization Benevol Schweiz, more than one third of the adult Swiss population is involved with volunteer work. Their website www.benevol.ch includes a list of places in Switzerland where you can volunteer. But don’t rule out the little things like helping with a sports club, volunteering for Mothering Matters or guiding a newcomer around Switzerland. Sometimes it’s the little things that count.
Although the previous list mentions the top ten resolutions, that doesn’t mean that others are not worth discussing! Do you have any others? What are they? Are they achievable?
By Mary Bider
Mary is the mother of three adult children. Her New Year’s Resolutions for 2013 are too many to print!
Illustrations by Ivy Hieber Kwok
Ivy has been illustrating for Mothering Matters since the Journal was published in a paper format.
