2025 Non-Resolutions

[Carbomb]

So I find that resolutions are pretty much bollocks, but I've also realised that the New Year can also be a good touchstone to kick off from for any kind of reset or decision, as long as it's not too specific (like a resolution).

I've made a decision that I want 2025 to be a year in which I do not end up complaining about the same problems I've had for the past few years; I'm bored of it, and I'm certain that means those around me are too.

In my case, I'm determined to solve my sleep problems (which are myriad), my work/career/money issues, my love life (or lack thereof), and my physical health (namely my cardio and flexibility, which are probably the worst they've ever been).

If nothing else, at the very least I would like to get to the end of this year with a completely new set of problems, and at best all my old ones eliminated or heavily lessened. Ideally, I'd prefer nothing at all, but hey - I also want to be going out with Stefflon Don, and you can't always get what you want. 

Anyone else have a general idea of how they want this year to go personally?

[DavidB6937]

I'd love to stop being such a cunt to myself. I feel like I'm my own worst enemy. So we'll see how that goes.

I'd also like to write a book about the history of roller coasters and amusement parks in the UK. That ones a bit more specific.

[TibBo]

This year I need to get a demo/EP recorded.

I’d love to be able to sleep more, but the only time I get to do stuff is on an evening when everyone has gone to bed, so that isn’t happening.

[SuperBacon]

43 minutes ago, DavidB6937 said:

I'd also like to write a book about the history of roller coasters and amusement parks in the UK

Would read. 

I don't have anything massively obvious I want to focus on, but I do want to tackle how much I put things off. I am a huge procrastinator from everything from bills to conversations to parts of my work, and I'd like to be more proactive in this part of my life.

Edit: just remembered something I made a promise on and thought this was as good a place as any. @Kfogg1991 I assume since May you haven't said "fuck" on here so as a man of my fucking word, fucking name your fucking charity. 

Maybe your resolution is to keep the non swearing on here going

Fucking.

 

Edited January 1, 2025 by SuperBacon
Fucking edit fucking nonce

[Gus Mears]

I'm going to have to start dating at some point, which I'm looking forward to about as much as sawing my arms off. Creating an entirely new friend group after moving to London. Probably those two and making at least a cursory effort at getting a book published, considering the amount of time I sink into writing and editing.

Edited January 1, 2025 by Gus Mears

[simonworden]

I'm going to properly kick the smoking this year I've decided. I'll put myself as being a vape nonce on here but from today it's banned in Vietnam. Can't really stomach going back to smelling of fags again so I'm gonna just sack it all off completely.

Apart from that, going to try and begin an MA later this year and get the ball rolling with another project I'll probably reveal on here a bit later. 

[wandshogun09]

Not so much a new year thing because I already started after Christmas but I’m definitely gonna focus on my health more going forward. I’m not a massive drinker anyway but I did have a bit of a problem with it years ago when I was going through the worst year of my life. I’ve only been an occasional drinker over the last 10 years or so but I’ve had a rough year and felt myself slipping into more frequent drinking at times. I’ve decided to fuck it off. Was drinking over Christmas and realised I don’t even particularly enjoy it anymore, nor the feeling the next day. I’m gonna be 40 in July and something about that milestone and seeing my kids getting older and more aware of everything, I just wanna sort myself out. There has been a history of alcoholism in my family and, while I wouldn’t say I’m addicted in any way, I can see how I could quite easily fall into that trap. Especially with some of the shite going on this year. So I’m stopping. I won’t struggle with that. Alcohol is one of those things that I can quite easily take or leave as I’ve gotten older but I’ve reached a point now where I just don’t get anything out of it. 

On another health front, I wanna focus on getting back in shape. I know at nearly 40 it’s not gonna be as easy as it used to be but knocking the drink on the head will obviously help to some degree. Gonna clean up my diet (to a point, we’ve gotta enjoy some things in life), I’ve already got back on my running (which is kicking my arse because I haven’t done it in ages) and I’m gonna get back in the gym and swimming and stuff. I’ve never been a fat man and I used to be in really good nick but I’ve definitely let it slip since the kids were born and I’m at my chunkiest I’ve ever been right now. The Mrs thinks I’m being silly and she can’t see it and it’s probably not as big a thing as I’m making it sound but it’s just a case of me not liking how it looks or how I feel. Not expecting to get ripped at 40 or anything, it’s not a vanity thing. It’s not so much anything appearance-wise, I just wanna feel healthier. The food thing is gonna be more difficult than the alcohol for me because the kids have always got snacks and stuff. Luckily my Mrs is more of a chocolate obsessive and my boy’s the same, I can easily do without chocolate. But my daughter’s like me with sweets so that’ll be the challenge. Fizzy drinks are gonna be a tough one as well. I’m not a massive eater but sweets and pop are probably the main thing keeping any extra weight on me. 

Yeah, I’ll see how it goes but I’ve already started most of it and if nothing else I’m a stubborn little twat so I’m gonna stick with it. As much as I don’t wanna go back to work tomorrow, I think getting back to a normal routine will help as well. 

[Jesse]

Yeah it's health for me too as 40 gets closer. I've had some chronic pain & fatigue issues for over a decade now that I've mostly ignored in favour of throwing myself into some incredibly unhealthy work patterns for the sake of my career. This last few months is forcing me to realise that it's not sustainable at this age any more - I've kicked the energy drinks, but I need to disconnect more, spend more time outside of my house, and not just rot in my office chair 18 hours a day.

I'm also planning to speak to my GP about sleep apnea, after five years of my wife complaining that I stop breathing in my sleep.

[Gus Mears]

@simonworden good luck with the fags. You just reminded me that it's been a full year since I last had a cigarette. A rare resolution I actually kept!

[wandshogun09]

17 minutes ago, Jesse said:

I've kicked the energy drinks

Yes. I stopped that shit in 2024 and felt a lot better for it. That was another thing where I didn’t even particularly enjoy them, it just became a habit when I was at work to go and get one. Stopped having them about 6 months ago, then bought one at work just before Christmas because I was knackered during a long shift and needed a kick. I took one sip and chucked it. Tasted vile and I couldn’t believe I used to drink them every day just months earlier. Was like battery acid ? 

[SuperBacon]

1 hour ago, simonworden said:

I'm going to properly kick the smoking this year I've decided

Yeah same here actually. I have an odd smoking habit, in that I never, ever smoke unless I'm at work, or out for work.

So I don't smoke at home, I can go weeks without one (last one probably mid December) but as soon as I'm in the office that's it. So if I get to the office early I'll have a couple with a coffee before work starts, and a few during the day, out of pure boredom. Work ends and there's a half hour wait for the bus home? I'll have a couple more while I wait then.

But then like I say, can go weeks or even months without one and am not remotely arsed. 

So if I can break those small "boredom holder" fags I'll be fine. Back in the office on the 6th and unless someone mentions Spurs recent form, I should be alright and not want one.

Oh and I'll never vape to wean off them as vaping is for absolute nonces

Edit: @wandshogun09 Don't change too much. I like you Rubenesque.

Edited January 1, 2025 by SuperBacon
I dream of Jeannie Cusamano

[Wretch]

Cut down on the booze as I’m absolutely a borderline alky, though I’m sure my wife and close friends would argue I’ve long since crossed that threshold. I’ve admitted to myself that I’ll never stop as I like it too much (I’m tipsy now tbf, not a great start), but I really, really need to significantly chop down on it. I need to attempt a social drink once a month or something for the new year. 

Edited January 1, 2025 by Wretch

[Sphinx]

Cut out drinking or cut down a lot - I'll see how I'm feeling as I go. Same as wanda says, I don't get much out of it any more. It feels like clothes that don't fit any more.

I did New Year's Eve on tap water last night at a rammed house party and was fine which gives me confidence I can do more social events without it. We hosted a Xmas dinner recently and I felt my social battery drain pretty quickly that time. I found last night that making sure I'd had a good meal beforehand helped and I had a coffee before going out and a ProPlus whilst there so I didn't feel completely sober. It's interesting to me to learn about what works and to experience some of these events with a more clear vision and to be a bit more on the ball with conversation and jokes. When my social battery runs out though, I'm a shell and a drink would probably mask that a bit better.

A big one for me is to get a good diet going. I'm vegan and don't eat too many snacks or ultra processed foods (this Xmas defo an exception), but I have a high metabolism and don't get enough calories in the day which can lead to fatigue, being irritable, and brain fog. Getting a consistent diet and schedule for what and when to cook would be great. Ideally I'd tie that in with moving my body more, whether that's the gym, gardening, yoga etc.

Lastly, potentially a change in job. The inconsistent and sometimes odd hours makes it hard to keep a hobby I can plan around. I also feel I've become less creative and playful since having the job (not from a very high bar admittedly) and lots of screen time doesn't feel healthy. To that end, I'm looking at getting a basic Android phone - maybe the Qin F21 Pro - so I've still got banking, Uber, Trainline etc but on a small screen to kick the dopamine cravings.

[Carbomb]

The past year or so I've had a regimen of only drinking alcohol on my birthday, at Christmas, and on big celebratory occasions (like a close friend's wedding or having finished some particularly difficult grouting). It's served me well thus far. But, at 45, I've realised I'm going to have to really step it up as regards exercise - my twice-a-week martial arts sessions aren't cutting it any more.

It's annoying because I hate exercise - it's mostly boring and I feel like shit afterwards. People who talk about the runner's high are lying scumbags. But it's got to be done.

[wandshogun09]

10 minutes ago, Carbomb said:

It's annoying because I hate exercise - it's mostly boring and I feel like shit afterwards. People who talk about the runner's high are lying scumbags. But it's got to be done.

I’m the opposite with this. It’s the before exercise that I hate. The forcing myself to do it and trying to stop myself finding any excuse not to do it. After I’ve actually done it I always feel better. I might be exhausted or whatever but I always feel better for it, mentally and physically. I’ve never had a gym session or gone for a run and regretted it. Always regret the days when I talked myself out of it and didn’t bother though. And I’ve managed to talk myself out of about 4 years of it now ?