New Year Resolutions Made To Be Broken?

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31255, 30 December 1966, Page 2

New Year Resolutions Made To Be Broken?

The year is almost over; time is running out for fulfilling the aspirations of 1966. However, with the optimism inherent in human nature, many are plotting and planning zealously for the new year.

Decisions affecting home, family, and career are being made; but what of the “little things” which make the difference between muddle and method?

That time-worn test of steadfastness—the New Year resolution—appears to be losing supporters and gaining mothballs. Obeying the urge of the moment is vastly more appealing and fashionable. Anyway, who ever heard of a resolution that was kept—they are only made, say the cynics.

They could be right, of course. But January 1 heralds 12 “bright and shiny” months. Time uncommitted and untarnished. a clean slate upon which to draw some “home truths’* and underline the remedies.

The high failure rate of New Year resolutions is easily accountable, according to one rational-thinking woman.

People resolve improvements they would very much like wrought, but which they have a shrewd suspicion they will not have the will-power to keep. It is the determination that is lacking, she reasons. Others differ—honesty Is uppermost, they say. Selfanalysis too. The mirth which often greets those rash enough to voice their resolution is usually secretly acknowledged by the earnest citizens. “Who are you kidding,” friends chuckle, and all that resolution crumples, like the packets for the cigarettes you promised not to smoke, the wrapping from the sweets you vowed not to suck, the letters you determinedly decided to answer. “Give It A Go” Nevertheless, year after year resolutions are made. In the idiom of the land, men, women, and children, “give it a go.” A housewife has resolved to follow a home economist’s suggestions to plan the family meals for a week in advance and stock her pantry from one day’s shopping. “Out of the house and back into the outside world,” is the resolution of a youthful grandmother. “Retire from the rat race, and put my feet up at home,” says a career woman. Young people, who make and break resolutions all year, seem sceptical about singling out January 1- Resisting temptation is apparently their chief target. A young woman is resolved to limit strictly her clothes allowance. She has now decided she is old enough to know better—the pleasure of buying new clothes is fleeting. Much better to save the money for an unforgettably expensive holiday in Hawaii. Others’ Ideas Resolutions do not always spring from a sense of guilt or a desire for improvement. They are often proposed tactfully or otherwise, by longsuffering friends and relations. It has been gently suggested to one 15-year-old lass that she resolve to make her bed properly every day instead of simply removing pins lost

from the night’s hairset and pulling up the covers. The father of a teen-age son has suggested several packets of cigarettes less a fortnight, the money saved to be spent on a regular hair cut

Sometimes, resolutions become “family pacts.” One such agreement has arisen from the absence for repairs of a television set The family of which this "one-eyed monster” had taken control has now resolved to be “selective viewers.” And, as is only natural In the warmth of summer, reso-

'lutions about early rising abound. An interesting variation has been found.

“Get Dressed” A woman who works an afternoon and evening shift proposes to “get dressed as soon as I get up, and not sit around for an hour and a half in my dressing gown.” Another has firmly resolved to go to bed early on week nights. No more "muddling around until midnight” for her.

The saying "rules are made to be broken” seems to apply equally to New Year resolutions. Predictions are that few will be able to boast of a resolution faithfully kept until January 1, 1968—but only time will tell.