New Year’s resolutions What are your New Year’s resolutions?

Get fit, quit smoking, spend more time with the kids, see more of friends and family, stop working so much, drink less, learn to play the piano, study harder, read more, learn how to get the most out of my new phone, be nicer to my neighbours, do some voluntary work, learn how to cook an exotic dish,... just some of the wonderful ideas we have to change our ways with the passing of another calendar year.

How long will it last? Do I have the willpower? These are questions we ask ourselves immediately after we’ve made New Year’s resolutions, knowing deep down that there is a reason we don’t already do these things. And that reason isn’t about to go away overnight... However, in the spirit of fun and getting to know a bit more about the Catalonia Today team, I’ve gathered some New Year’s resolutions from contributors to the magazine and the presenters of programmes on El Punt Avui TV’s English Hour. Naturally, I felt compelled to add my own comments as well.

Nicole Millar, presenter of Small Talk on El Punt Avui TV’s English Hour

“I think I’m going to look at my phone less! I keep getting sucked in by social media and gaining nothing from it. And when around the kids, no phone. Also, I always like to give up something like chocolate till Easter, I have a weakness there and I like to know I can control that!”

Social media and chocolate, sounds achievable, good luck with that Nicole, and I’m guessing a lot of parents of young children will empathise with you on the phone front.

Neil Stokes, presenter of Going Native on El Punt Avui TV’s English Hour and contributor to Catalonia Today

“I stopped smoking in the summer but as quitting is such a long process my main resolution is to keep going and stay off the ciggies. Also, a lack of time and the proliferation of tech in entertainment has meant I hardly read these days. I used to be an avid reader but barely finish more than a couple of books a year. I want that to change and will be trying to do some reading no matter how brief - every day if I can.”

I know what you mean, Neil, can’t remember the last time I finished a book with all there is to read online, not to mention the fact that reading forms a big part of what we do for a living every day.

Marcela Topor, presenter of Catalan Connections on El Punt Avui TV’s English Hour and editor of Catalonia Today

“Rather than a New Year’s resolution, it’s a wish, something I didn’t think about before because we had it or thought we had it but which is so important: peace and freedom. Recent events have made me realise how essential these are and how hard it is to lead our lives without them. And this brings me to a resolution for the New Year as well, which is to try to spend more quality time with the loved ones, and enjoy the small things of daily family life, and with friends, which is the most precious thing we have.”

Joe Hogan, contributor to Catalonia Today

“I actually don’t believe in them. Why would I promise myself certain failure?”

Ha, ha, you’ve obviously read the beginning of this article Joe.

Matthew Tree, presenter of Our Finest Hour on English Hour and contributor to Catalonia Today

“Go to England and not leave until I have a contract for the new novel. Drink less cava with dinner on Saturdays. Become fluent in Dutch (this is the 27th year I’ve resolved to do this).”

27th time lucky, Matthew!

Martin Kirby, contributor to Catalonia Today

“1. Never go rambling in the mountains without my binoculars and a cushion.

2. To just be.

3. To campaign much harder for a Clean Up Catalonia Day - a national day (Saturday or Sunday) when everyone, of all ages, picks up litter, paints or varnishes benches, puts out pot plants, holds street parties, etc., and takes enormous pride in community and this amazing country. As they do in Australia and Slovenia, if you want a blueprint or two.”

Some very thoughtful resolutions there, Martin.

Brett Hetherington, contributor to Catalonia Today

“Sorry but genuinely, my only resolution is to continue not having any New Year’s resolutions. A new millennium starts every second, after all!”

Fair enough, Brett.

Barney Griffiths, presenter of The Week in Football on El Punt Avui TV’s English Hour and contributor to Catalonia Today

“Hang on, that’s me... Let’s see, watch less football is an obvious one for me; when I think about the hours I spend watching 22 players chase a ball around a large piece of grass it’s quite soul-destroying. I must watch at least six hours a week, which is 24 hours a month or well over 200 hours a year. The trouble is, my fascination with the game probably won’t allow me to change that, so I’ll just go for walking every day to get fitter and lose a few pounds (or kilos if you prefer).”

So there you have it, lots of different takes on New Year’s resolutions here at Catalonia Today. Here’s wishing all our readers a positive start to the New Year, wherever you are and whatever your resolutions may be.

Feature