TheCable

It’s about that time of the year when people make resolutions for the new year. I remember in my 20s some years ago, when the year is coming to an end like this, there will be the need to be a better person than I was in the outgoing year.

By this time of the last month of the year, I would have probably written down the things I want to stop doing and the things I want to do more or start doing, like becoming more prayerful, stopping a bad habit, or paying more attention to studies.

In some cases, these resolutions are influenced by church pastors, motivational speakers, and on some other occasions, it was self-inspired. The latter is the best because you are not forced to do it, you did it out of deep thinking and realizing the need to make some changes in some aspect of your personal life.

A resolution could mean a firm decision to do or not to do something or simply the quality of being determined or resolute. Literally, most people see New Year resolution to mean things they do not want to do again in the new year. Like a part of Joeboy’s song that says: “I don’t wanna reason bad things no more, I don’t wanna go back to where I dey before“.

But the question is – do people still make New Year resolutions anymore? If yes, do they take them seriously? Like, can you beat your chest and say you are still holding on to your 2021 New Year resolution?

In the past, I have made resolutions to go into business, I did but Nigeria happened to me. I was knocked out. I made a resolution to invest, I did, but Nigeria also happened to me, I lost money. I made a resolution to save, I did save, but Nigeria will not stop happening to me, my money is still in the coffers of Industrial and General Insurance (IGI) after over 18 months that I was due to get it. Nobody is calling IGI to order, the regulatory bodies are sleeping or do not know their job or something worse. Yet again, Nigeria happened to me. Another resolution season is here but I am not bold enough to make one, I don’t want Nigeria to make a mess of my efforts, hard-earned money, and intellect.

Many a time when we make personal resolutions, too many forces in form of challenges along the way see our return to that same old or usual person we used to be and trying to detach from.

The situation that Nigeria has thrown its citizens and residents into has seen many people give up on New Year resolutions as they find it unable to keep up. It is quite understandable, however, there is a reason why it is called ‘resolution’. The word (noun) or action (verb) does not mean the absence of challenges, but the firm stands to be unyielding and stick to the new positive decision.

I remember a few years ago, I made a resolution to exercise frequently, that is at least once a week. Though I am used to doing exercises right from my teenagehood. I used to go jogging with my friends and playing football was the norm. This is asides from me walking a distance to and from school every day. But I stopped at some point and for many years I did not engage in regular exercise.

So I made a resolution some years ago to resume brisk exercise weekly. It was not easy to find that old vibe, but I got so used to it again over time. Now, I don’t feel complete if one weekend passes without doing my programme.

I try to find out what are the top three resolutions people make when a new year is approaching. Some people want to focus more on their romantic relationship, take up a new hobby, get a job or find a new one, make new friends or detach from some set of old friends, learn a new skill, give more time to reading or just focus on self-care.

While these resolutions are good and helpful to self-growth, they did not fall under the top three. So what are those three main decisions people make at the start of the year?

Top on the list is eating healthier. Most of us throw caution to the wind during the festive period, we also forget that in most parts of the outgoing year, we ate quick-fix meals which are unhealthy for us. We wake up early, dressed up in a rush to beat the traffic to work and when we return in the evening we are too tired to cook healthy food. After having so much to eat and drink during Christmas, we then try to resolve to eat healthier in the new year.

But this resolution in some cases only lasts for a few days or weeks. Some people will however return to that spicey sodium-filled eatery food or that salty ‘mama-put’ meal beside the office. It is a place of convenience, tomorrow is another day to cook at home.

Another resolution people make the most is to get more exercise. We have eaten so much pounded yam, amala, rice, pizza and topped it up with liquor. The bad part is we take these things in high quantity because it’s Christmas and they come easily and freely most times. This action then informs our decision to embark on exercises.

After two weeks of Christmas movie marathons and festive relaxation, almost 40% of us are ready to move our bodies, with a view to improving our health or losing weight. But how long will this resolution last? It is not by just starting an exercise routine, it is the ability to make it regular and part of our lives that matters.

The third on the list of top three resolutions people make is saving money or saving more money. As simple as this may sound, it is difficult if you are not disciplined. It takes money to spend money, but it takes a lot to save some.

Gifts buying, foodstuff, Christmas parties, and long journeys to visit friends and relatives leave our wallets feeling lighter come January. Some people have a major project they would want to carry out in the new year, there is no way you can successfully finish the project without saving ahead for it.

One thing I have learned over the years is to be wary of Nigeria when making a New Year resolution. When making plans, leave some space for Nigeria. It will happen surely, but don’t just be caught unawares and don’t say you were not told.

Israel is a Nigerian journalist and can be reached via [email protected]