Because really, we’re all doing just fine.

Every year I tell myself I won’t bother with resolutions. Just aim to be a bit healthier, eat more vegetables, maybe go for walk and then I won’t feel the heavy pressure of failing to achieve goals. Then I saw a social media post where someone decided to make a list of ‘happy resolutions’, positive things they would aim to do. It wasn’t about exercise, or cutting out chocolates and crisps. It wasn’t about stopping those ‘guilty’ pleasures (I hate the idea of having to feel guilty about enjoying something) or taking something away from your life. It was about what this person wanted to do more of, or bring into their life. I love this idea of turning strict, difficult to love doing resolutions on their heads and deciding to make your world bigger and brighter! Why do we insist on starting the year with a regime? Welcome to the 10 anti-resolutions I’m going to insist on for 2024, and I’m not even going to start them in January, so ner…

1. Eat more dessert

It’s my favourite course, which I usually enjoy saving the best for last. BUT, who says the best has to be saved? What if dessert was all the courses? Do I really have to eat a sandwich for lunch if all I want is an apple crumble and custard? I’m going to enjoy choosing dessert first once in a while.

2. Revel in JOMO

JOMO stands for Joy Of Missing Out and I sort of do this anyway, but I do get the guilts for not saying yes to social gatherings (or even organising them…at all). I love being at home in my own space! I think I’m going to try and feel less like I could be missing out on ‘making memories’ and lean into making my evenings at home more memorable.

3. Having a self-care hobby that’s just for fun

JOMO leads me nicely into enhancing my spare time. I had a series of hobbies before I changed career and had a wildly different post-work routine. Some of these hobbies turned into work (writing) and some turned into a side-hustle which lost its fun (cross stitching). So now I’m exploring starting a little hobby I can do in my spare time that’ll keep me calm and anxiety-free. Something that won’t then become too consuming or begin to feel like a struggle…thus losing the enjoyment. I’ve looked into pottery and ceramics, jewellery making, crochet, photography, watercolours and sketching. As long as it’s something I can do while Peep Show runs in the background for the 1000th time.

4. Wear the nice lipstick

I’ve always thought lipstick doesn’t suit me, plus it wears off in minutes. I see so many gorgeous colours though and wish I could try them. So, I will! 2024 will be the year of sampling colours and just wearing it, even if it only lasts a single croissant.

5. Enjoy cooking together

We sort of do this occasionally when we feel like making something adventurous, and it’s something I’d really like to do more of. I really do enjoy cooking food from scratch, working together (and irritating each other getting in the way constantly) to make something complicated but ultimately delicious. The main issue is time during the working week, but I reckon if we started properly cooking at the weekends then it’s something else to look forward to as we’re slogging away Monday – Friday!

6. Be a Luxury Bitch once in a while

I love it when I get to be a Luxury Bitch! If you’ve never heard of it before, a Luxury Bitch is someone who not just gets but also uses the finer things. I’m talking cashmere loungewear, expensive perfumes, Diptyque candles, fancy chocolates, luxury skincare… It’s such a treat a couple of times a year to splash out on something fancy, and even better when the luxury is in the sale.

7. Buy secondhand as much as possible

My wardrobe is bursting with clothes I barely wear. To be honest I’ve no idea what my ‘style’ is these days and I haven’t had the effort to try and find it! Since I signed up to Vinted though I’ve managed to get some real bargains for pieces I reckon I’ll get bored of eventually. I’ve spent too many years spending full price on clothes that I wear a couple of times and no longer want. I go through phases I think, and I’d rather do that with a £3 skirt than a £30 skirt. Charity shops are a faff sometimes, but I’m really going to make an effort to spend a weekend every so often trawling as many as possible, with a list of items in mind. If I happen across them, brilliant! If not, then I’ve got enough at home anyway.

Featured image by Estée Janssens on Unsplash