Have you ever wondered why we are so obsessed with making New Year’s resolutions?
Apparently this is due to the “fresh start effect” – we are more motivated to leave behind the bad stuff and pursue new undertakings and better ourselves at the start of certain occasions.
Case in point: a new year.
Studies have shown that internet searches for the term “diet” and the likelihood of hitting the gym were both the highest at the beginning of the week, month and year.
To be honest, I don’t think this necessarily proves that people generally want to better themselves. I think it means that they just ate too much over the weekend.
But that’s the way life is, isn’t it? We love to start the week thinking we would change our ways. But we always round the week off on an overly indulgent note.
I wouldn’t call this a vicious cycle. I call it balance.
Balance is good.
I reckon you could say the same for relationships. You start by quitting your bad habits and hitting the gym so that you would appear more attractive to the object of your heart’s desire.
But when you finally win her heart and settle down, you end up round and, ahem, very well balanced.
Trust me, I’ve been married for 12 years. I have not been able to see my toes for the past decade.
A friend of mine, who is happily married with three kids, is always arguing that being chubby is a sign of bliss. Of course, his doctor disagrees. A few months ago, the good doctor diagnosed my friend with high blood pressure and ordered a drastic reduction in his beer and food intake.
“Please, lah. It’s not the beer that’s causing high blood pressure,” my friend retorted.
“It’s Primary 1 registration.”
Although New Year’s resolutions do sometimes seem like a moot undertaking, I say make them anyway. After all, wanting to get a fresh start to the year and improve ourselves is never a bad thing. To increase your chances of success, make resolutions that are attainable.
Don’t tell yourself you’re going to buy a Good Class Bungalow this year.
Build yourself a GCB – using Lego. Minecraft or Roblox works, too.
Next, implement countermeasures against failure. For example, park a sizeable amount of money – an amount you would fear losing – with someone you’re close to, like your spouse. Tell him or her that you can retrieve the money only when you have achieved your goal.
I did consider parking some money with my wife. But then I realised that she’s a “convenient feminist” – the kind who believes “your money is my money and my money is my money”.
It’s funny. You never ever hear them say the same when it comes to doing laundry.
Also, don’t fret if you find yourself struggling to get started on your resolutions.
You can always try again on Feb 1.
It’s the start of a new month. It’s also the Chinese New Year.
If that fails too, try Labour Day on May 1.
My New Year’s resolution last year was to grow my nest egg by setting aside some money for investments. But I soon hit a snag when the online brokerage stated that I must have prior experience in trading before I could set up an account.
I called the customer service and asked if my prior experience in trading Pokemon cards and insults would suffice.
My savings are still sitting in the bank.
I know, I’m probably not the best person to be giving advice on making fresh starts.
Come to think of it, do you know who are the real experts in making fresh starts?
Those siao on sergeants who keep yelling, “Semula! Start from zero!”
LOL Mondays is an ongoing series of slice-of-life stories from freelance writer and NSman Alywin Chew. Look out for the humorous tales which will be posted every first Monday of the month, to help you drive away your Monday blues!
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