A fresh perspective on NY resolutions

As you take your first tentative steps into a brand new year, it’s common to find yourself reflecting on the resolutions, aspirations and changes you’ll make that you hope will shape the upcoming year and make it your best one yet!  

NY resolutions are often, at best a waste of time and at worst a stick to beat yourself up with, but an intriguing question that was put to me at the end of 2023 really helped me to encapsulate my hopes and dreams for the year ahead, without making bold statements about exercise, healthy eating and the like that will probably quickly fall by the wayside!  

The question was “What’s your word for 2024?”  

And, without very much thought at all, I chose Razzabean. When I was about 10, Razzabean was born! She was fearless, feisty and loved to put on shows called, you guessed it… The Razzabean Show on the school playground, even if nobody came to watch! 

Razzabean just did what she loved most. She was unapologetically herself and didn’t worry about what people thought of her. She just wanted to create, have fun and spread joy, even if people didn’t want her too! She took no shit, refused to follow convention, wore what she liked and enjoyed some pretty ‘uncool’ hobbies for much longer than some of her peers.  

For me, Razzabean is about being unashamedly me in all that I do. So in the year ahead, when stuck by fear, self-doubt or judgement, I’ll ask myself ‘What would Razzabean do?’ And I’m pretty sure the answer will be a slightly shouty “Do it anyway!” accompanied by some sort of twirl! That’s the spirit that I am harnessing as I step into the New Year. 

What about you?

What will your word be?  

How will it summon up the spirit of how you want the year to be? 

Once you’ve chosen it, how does that word make you feel?  

What kind of person will you be, with this word in mind? 

Whatever word you land on and however you choose to be in 2024, I wish you well and hope this really is your best year yet!