Are new year's resolutions still a thing?

I'm going to stop responding to silly questions posted on internet forums.

Drink more water.

https://www.culliganwater.com/blog/new-years-resolution-drink-more-water

I'd like to think I was going to ride my bike a bit more in 2024.  Not really a resolution, more a vague aim. 

All my new year resolutions start in September. Just so when I get to January 1st my resolutions  should be either a success or already forgotten about. 

I didn't make any resolutions last September that I can think of. 

Nope, don’t think I’ve ever done one so not going to start now. 

Not really a resolution, more a vague aim

That sounds familiar....

I have some things planned for this - my first long weekend cycling holiday, break 30 mins for a 10 mile TT. I know roughly how fit I need to be and how much lard I could do to lose to help with these targets.

I'm 55 this year - a mate sorted his life out at 50 and made some big changes, and I was caught between being inspired by him and pissed off and jealous of him. Mark Lewis has put on interesting piece on his YouTube channel about the changes he made between 40-50 and talks about being aware that there aren't as many tomorrows as there were, so if he can be in any way better tomorrow than the today then it's progress. I'd like to work a bit on that - though I doubt it will end with me having a new hotter and younger wife. Or an old GPZ900

Yep, I resolve to do exactly the same this year as last year.

Not resolutions as such. However I do like to set myself targets for the next 12 months. Mainly around finances, training (gym / running), and general wellbeing. Missed a couple this year but generally OK.

Well a wet and blustery Christmas holiday sheltering in the house with the family has highlighted how often I'm on my phone (or rather, my wife has highlighted how often I'm on my phone). So trying to pry myself away from the phone somehow.

Which probably means posting less on here to be honest, so I'm not doing very well so far! 😂

I dont do new years resolutions but every year around Christmas I make a 'to do' list for the following year of things I'd like to do, often they move from one year to the next but that's okay. It makes me feel like I'm achieving something each year to tick items off the list and add more, otherwise I start to get the feeling of life just being the same rubbish track on repeat.

Lose a few pounds of ugly fat. No, I am not having my head cut off 😀

@MoreCashThanDash
I’m 55 this year – a mate sorted his life out at 50 and made some big changes, and I was caught between being inspired by him and pissed off and jealous of him. Mark Lewis has put on interesting piece on his YouTube channel about the changes he made between 40-50

I’m 52 and need to do this so would be interested to hear what your friend did (and how). Also do you have a link to the mark lewis piece?

I’m going to try and sleep more.

If you tell anyone, they won’t come true

I take a similar approach to GolfChick....new years resolution type stuff is probably the only remotely bit of mainstream culture that I actually embrace tbh!

I want to start riding my bikes properly again, I want to lead climb hvs and maybe E1, want to learn how to do some basic bike maintenance, meditate daily to help with my over active mind. Every year I also vow to learn French....doubt it'll happen.

I’m going to stop using aerosol deodorant.

Roll on next year.

Drink more water.

https://www.culliganwater.com/blog/new-years-resolution-drink-more-water/blockquote >
Big Water would say that though wouldn't they?

 

I'm going to do more or less the same as I did last year.

Nobody keeps to their resolutions, right?

Here’s some advice it’s worth taking note of, but no matter what, trust me on the sunscreen…

Ladies and gentlemen of the class of '97
Wear sunscreen

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it
A long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists
Whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable
Than my own meandering experience, I will dispense this advice now

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth, oh, never mind
You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth
Until they've faded, but trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back
At photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now
How much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked
You are not as fat as you imagine

Don't worry about the future
Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing Bubble gum
The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind
The kind that blindsides you at 4 p.m. On some idle Tuesday
Do one thing every day that scares you

Saying, don't be reckless with other people's hearts
Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours

Floss

Don't waste your time on jealousy
Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind
The race is long and in the end, it's only with yourself
Remember compliments you receive, forget the insults, if you succeed in doing this, tell me how
Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements

Stretch

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life.
The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives
Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't
Get plenty of calcium
Be kind to your knees
You'll miss them when they're gone

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't
Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't
Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the 'Funky Chicken'
On your 75th wedding anniversary
Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much
Or berate yourself either
Your choices are half chance, so are everybody else's

Enjoy your body, use it every way you can
Don't be afraid of it or what other people think of it
It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own
Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your own living room
Read the directions even if you don't follow them
Do not read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly

Brother and sister together we'll make it through
Some day a spirit will take you and guide you there
I know you've been hurting but I've been waiting to be there for you
And I'll be there just helping you out whenever I can

Get to know your parents, you never know when they'll be gone for good
Be nice to your siblings, they're your best link to your past
And the people most likely to stick with you in the future

Understand that friends come and go
But a precious few, who should hold on

Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle
For as the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young
Live in New York City once but leave before it makes you hard
Live in northern California once but leave before it makes you soft

Travel

Accept certain inalienable truths
Prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too, will get old
And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young
Prices were reasonable, politicians were noble
And children respected their elders

Respect your elders

Don't expect anyone else to support you
Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse
But you never know when either one might run out

Never mess too much with your hair
Or by the time you're 40 it will look 85

Be careful whose advice you buy but be patient with those who supply it
Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past
From the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts
And recycling it for more than it's worth

But trust me on the sunscreen

Brother and sister together we'll make it through
Some day a spirit will take you and guide you there
I know you've been hurting but I've been waiting to be there for you
And I'll be there just helping you out whenever I can

Everybody see it oh yeah yeah

Everybody see it oh yeah
He want you to feel good!

Every year I also vow to learn French….doubt it’ll happen

je doute que ça arrive

Stop working 

My daughter has challenged me to see a gig once a month for the year, so that should be doable. 

A new hip would be good but that relies on NHS waiting lists. 

Sort out a few other life bits, which will hopefully mean I'm in a better place this time next year.

Never done them. If I think I should be doing something I do it from then on, waiting for a New Year just seems to be putting stuff off.

I'll wager the guy I can hear outside at 7:25am, trying in vain to start his car will have a new year resolution to get his car looked at 😆

I’m going to stop analysing the MPG on the cars every time I drive.  My son says I won’t last a week.  

I’m going to stop analysing the MPG on the cars every time I drive

😂

I've just started doing this! Baffles me that I get significantly better MPG in 'Sport' than in 'Eco' 🙄

There’s a whole bunch of explanatory videos on YouTube about that… #rabbithole

Nah, I'll just start a thread in here and spend another few hours typing and peering at my phone 😉

I have a bucket list of trips/activities that gets longer each year. It is added to throughout the year rather than being something I only think about at the end of December. However, I will make a promise to myself about trying to stay fit enough to tick a few off.

Assuming the world/country stays much as it is, career/money type stuff is basically in maintenance mode now so that's one less area to be planning. I do have some State Pension contributions to top up before November, so need to get on to that. 

Family life will see a change this year but that just needs my support (and patience).

Not for the first time, I'm coming to the conclusion that friendship is something I need to work on but at 65 years old I think I'm probably too late to how to do it properly or to become more likeable 😂

Move more. It's always the same but this year has been particularly bad for us for  managing our time. Two years ago we attempted to walk the same distance as LE-JOG and were doing ok til May, did about 2/3rds in the end I think.

I've vowed to get another year older. 

Providing I don't croak it in 2024, it's the one thing I reckon I can nail.

I'm going to knock booze on the head till I hit pub @ 12

I had a resolution in 2019 to not use disposable coffee cups. Pre covid I used three for the whole of 2019 and carried a folding silicone cup (RIP died last year). I’m going back to that one. I may also resolve to take some vitamins daily as I’m always D-deficient. That and some creatine. 

sort of, but inspired to twist it this year

https://ukgravelco.com/2024/01/01/new-year-new-me-all-that-bollocks/

Read more often in place of wasting time on social media, YouTube etc.

I used to read a lot of books but that's largely been replaced with pointless scrolling on my phone.

I’m 52 and need to do this so would be interested to hear what your friend did (and how). Also do you have a link to the mark lewis piece?

After seeing the suggestion by Mark Lewis I have been reading "atomic habits" in the past few weeks, so I am now trying to implement a "plan to change" rather than just having a "statement of intent" which I think is how most people do new years resolutions.

I am only starting it today as it has just tied in with reading the book and ending the Christmas period. If I had read it 6 months ago I would have implemented the suggestions then.

To be honest it is probably just bringing a bit of planning and (project management) methodology to your life, it is a skill some may already have, been taught or worked out at an early age, I didn't work this stuff out so at 54 I will see if an old dog can learn new tricks.

I’ve got a few:

1. Get on top of the sugar addiction before it starts to cause real problems

2. Exercise more consistently - after several years of young kids, career, fixing up a house etc (aka life) getting in the way, I’m determined to get back to regular training - ideally working up to running a trail ultra or some interesting off-road races and days out. Some down time over Christmas reminded me how essential being outdoors and active is to my overall wellbeing, and how I behave as a husband and father. It is one of the reasons we moved across the country to our new location, so it’s time to capitalise on that.

3. Finish the bloody house! We’re at the final knockings now, but it’s all those little jobs that take longer to get the tools out and clean up afterwards than it does to do the actual work, so a few decent days of effort should box it off. Apparently, I’ve grown oblivious to the odd incomplete skirting board or bit of trim missing here or there, but Mrs Import has not.

4. Less screen time, more reading.

5. Find a friend in the locality. Just one or two would do. It’s been a lonely few years.

Vague ambitions for 2024...

1) less booze

2) less sugar

3) stretch more (maybe a bit of yoga?)

They're still a thing.

My partner's last year was to ride her bike at least once a month, something I (as the one with three bikes) failed to do, so I'm going to adopt that, plus a few others:

1) Bike at least once a month
2) Run at least once a month
3) Finish rebuilding my BSA Bantam (D14 trials conversion)
4) Finish repairing/restoring my vintage Record vice
5) Go to Bicester Heritage/a Scramblers meet there

Get back to my pre-covid weight. 

Play guitar every week

Learn some Flemish.  Apparently the Flemish commentary is the best on cycling (I recognise there isn't the slightest chance this will happen but it is one of our 3 national languages so I should really)

I try to keep mine simple, two years ago I set myself the challenge to break my nervous/stress habit of picking my nails, which I have done and been trying to break for 30odd years.  Managed it this time round and after an awful 2023, I didn’t revert so I think it’s fair to say that habit is broken.

Hopefully retiring in 2025, so need to get basic stuff sorted;

Drink more water,

Drink less caffeine based drinks,

Less time on screens,

Move more, whatever form that may be. <br /><br />

Sort my body out, the last few years have been a mix of too busy with work an getting injured trying to compensate for that.

So this year rather than diving straight back into the squats and deadlifts I'm spending Jan and Feb stretching and doing the "prehab" I'm always too tired for.

Not quite disciplined enough to start in September, but did start before Christmas as I find the inevitable week off makes me look forward to getting back into the routine rather than struggling to get into a completely new one.

Also got a load of "things to do before I'm 40" still to tick off. Mostly boring stuff like have a retirement plan beyond "overpay the pension / mortgage" I want to actually sit down and have a plan/date by which I want to be able to start cutting working days.

Well I'm pleased.  resolution #1 kicked off.  Tidying up old pensions and moving from shysters reassure with their ridiculous charges for doing nothing.

10 weeks to complete a transfer though....why...?

and I'm also in the need to get rid of injuries so I can enjoy riding again.  off to do those physio exercises now....