So here we are, my last column for 2021. It’s usual now that I would write about what a year it’s been and make some predictions for the year ahead, but I’m not going to do that this time around. Instead, I am going to have a wander through the concept of New Year’s resolutions.

I didn’t do that in 2021 because I had just enough going on in my life without adding to the issue. But I think it was a couple of years before that that I gave up my favourite takeaway food for the year. 

Why, may you ask? Well, if you did ask, I couldn’t tell you why I did it, as I really have no idea. It’s not like I’m addicted to the stuff and might have it once every six weeks to two months if I’m lucky. 

Anyway, as is often the case, I found a loophole (I was a lawyer remember) and decided the resolution only applied in New Zealand. I travelled to China that year and, being pretty sure I’d never be back, I wanted to see if this international food product was the same year as here. It pretty much was.

The whole exercise was, on reflection, utterly pointless. So why do we do it to ourselves; set these targets for a new year? Especially when modern thinking is it takes 3 months to break a bad habit or instil a new, good one? 

I guess it is because the New Year rolling in has a symbolism to it that makes us take stock and reflect on where we’ve gone wrong and what we could do better for ourselves and/or those around us. 

There are many common themes, drop some weight, exercise more, read more books, read less Facebook and drink less. The last one is a perennial favourite perhaps spurred on by waking up a bit dusty on New Years Day.

But for me, I think the best one, and one I’ve worked hard on for years without making an actual resolution out of it, is to be grateful for the small things, those things that we can sometimes take for granted. 

It’s been a tough couple of years but I firmly believe that, if you compare us to most places in the world, we have a huge amount to be grateful for, and I have found reminding myself of that regularly through the day is a great way to get through life.

I hope you have a safe and happy 2022.