Did I build this ship to wreck?

Studies show 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail, it’s time to dump these toxic pacts we make with ourselves and start enjoying our lives.

Illustration by Barbara Kelley

It’s Christmas, we made it. The collective sigh, or deep breath (deploy as you best see fit) as we journey forth past the festive period to the new year, the finish line is in sight and 2022 is almost over. Whether or not you’ve been graced with turkey, nut roast or the odd mince pie or two, thrown in with the glad tidings of the all too familiar family arguments, the inevitable moments of quiet reflection in between are sure to set in.

Questions such as “What have I achieved?”, “Where am I going?” and that old classic, “What are my New Year’s resolutions?” are all sold to us in this period in articles as an ‘opportunity’ to better ourselves. Even as I write this aboard a flight to Belfast the captain gets involved, joyously wishing us good luck with our New Year’s resolutions over the tannoy. It is seemingly inescapable.

I’ve often found the act of carving out New Year’s resolutions into some stone-like monolith to tower over our year a stark contrast to s…