Two days to 2024, a new year.
It was a cold afternoon, my windows were shut while the wind banged against them. I was sprawled across my bed with a yellow notebook beside me and a pen in my hand. This was a ritual for me; writing my New Year’s resolution two days into the new year.
Title of the page read “Naomi’s plans for 2024”. I was blank as to what to put down but then I had a million things in my head I needed or felt like I should complete the next year.
A knock came at the door. It was my flatmate Rita. She sat down on the bean bag i had in my room with a loud sigh.
“My God Naomi….can’t believe I’m ending this year broke again”. She said
“Neither can I girl”. I replied
“Don’t tell me you’re writing your New Year’s resolution again”. She said while peeking at my notebook
“I was about to until you came in”. I replied with a sigh.
“I don’t know girl. We keep doing this every year and we don’t even accomplish anything or at least half of what’s on the list. We start the year off with so much drive and enthusiasm and then towards the middle everything just dies down. We’re engulfed in work and other stuff. That’s how time passes by without us knowing. And boom! It’s December again! And then we start putting down our “resolutions” for the new year”. She said painfully
“So what are you trying to say?”. I asked
“I don’t know I just feel like it’s a total waste of time doing all of this especially if we aren’t going to stick to it”. She replied.
“So you’re advising we just ‘wing it’ next year?”. I asked
“Girlllll that’s what I’m going to do! New year…Same me”. She said before we heard our tea kettle whistling.
“Shit… I forgot I had noodles on fire. Oh and Naomi I’m also making Arabian tea I’ll bring you some when I’m done”. Rita said before running off to the kitchen.
I then thought to myself; “New year…same me doesn’t sound so bad after all I’m tired of the whole ‘New year New me’ act I put on every new year and then it last up till March.”
I closed my notebook and went over to the kitchen to help Rita make dinner.
One day to 2024
I was on the couch in the sitting room, the remote control in one hand flipping through the channels on the Tv while the other hand held my phone close to my ear while I was talking to my mum.
“Baby girl…is there something you’re not telling me”. Mum asked
“Like what?”. I replied
“I don’t know but towards the start of a new year you’re always so chirpy, happy and what not about the new year. Blabbing all about your new year resolutions and plans for the next year”. She said
“Well mum I’ve decided to just ‘wing it’ next year, I mean what’s the point if I’ve never accomplished any of the things I write as my goal for the next year. I’m going with this whole “New Year…Same me” mantra”. I answered
“Oh my young daughter. No one ever said you should become a ‘new you’ each year. But then you have to put down your goals for next year. It helps to drive and motivate you. And mind you that you should put down achievable goals, things that are practical. I’m beginning to think you’re in your head too much, I mean most of the goals you put for new year would take a miracle to happen. For example wanting a Bentley while what you’re earning is peanuts compared to the price of the car”. She advised
“So what are you suggesting?”. I asked
“Well I would tell you how I plan my year in order to achieve my goals and you can take what you need from there. Yeah so I divide my year into quarters which is three months each. I set goals and give myself a quarter to try to accomplish them, I’ve noticed you would be more determined if you thought you had only 90 days in a year but when you give yourself 365 days it always sounds like you’ve got all the time in the world. Divide your goals into different categories like career-wise, relationships, personal life, health, finances etc . Write down what you want to achieve in each category so it makes it more detailed”. She said
“Well I never thought of it like that”. I said sounding defeated.
“Now I don’t want to hear my daughter gave up on her goals okay? Remember to take time to appreciate yourself for each goal you’ve achieved. Most times when youngsters have achieved something you’re already unto the next thing you want to achieve without taking sometime to congratulate yourselves. So I would advise you to get started on your goals for the next year. Today is last day of the year. Have a good day sweetie”. My mum said
“Have a good day mum”. I replied before ending the call.
Well what she said actually made sense. It’s going to be a New Year, Same Old me but with more determination.
I put off the Tv, got a snack from the kitchen and went to my room, got my yellow notebook and started writing hoping to finish before midnight.
I started from my career. Did I like where I worked? It was manageable but was that my dream job? Definitely no. So I was going to work towards that.
For my finances. They weren’t much of a bother to me although I felt like I did spend quite an amount on some unnecessary things this year. I was going to save more next year even if it means locking the money up somewhere. And so I continued to sketch out plans for each aspect of my life. I mean I’m too lazy to go to the gym so why not eat healthier at least.
By an hour to midnight I was done. I smiled looking at my notebook. They weren’t definite goals and how to achieve them but at least it was a rough work of the direction I wanted to head towards. And that’s all that mattered. I went to sleep an hour later after the fireworks of the new year kept sounding all over the neighborhood.