’m not one of those people who wishes away years, weeks or even days. And birthdays are definitely to be celebrated, not feared. As my lovely mum Sally and I agreed when she team and I had great fun looking back over past columns, and what the promise of a new year had prompted them to pledge. Both Jude and Mari wanted to declutter and simplify their lives. And they kind of did. But we all agreed it’d be impossible (unless you moved to a monastery!) to declare your life completely clutter-free. Rather, it’s a way of life we can keep aspiring to. I know I do! Lisa has a big ‘0’ birthday looming, and she’s using that as a catalyst to finally keep the resolution she makes most years – to eat more healthily and find time for exercise. ‘I also want to watch less Netflix and read more books,’ she said. Lizzy’s resolution is to complete the four she’s yet to achieve from a list she made at the very beginning of the pandemic. ‘I called it my iso list,’ Lizzy said. One of her promises was to write appreciation letters to friends and family, which she did. ‘It was good to take time and reflect on what those people meant to me, and I was blown away by everyone’s response,’ Lizzy said. I love that! I reckon, resolution or not, taking time to express gratitude to the special people in your life is a pretty good thought with which to kick off 2023. I hope yours is a good one!
