Anna Boyne
Making New Year’s resolutions only to break them before the end of January is a well-known cliché. It exists in real life and on-screen, too. Take Bridget Jones, who is in the throes of self-pity. She vowed on New Year’s Eve that she would take control of her life in the New Year.
We all know how it went for Bridget – she didn’t lose 20 lbs, and Daniel Cleaver was certainly not the “nice sensible boyfriend” she was searching for. So, 22 years after Bridget’s failed resolutions, we must ask: are New Year’s resolutions necessary? My answer is no, but not in the way you might expect.
The expectations of the early 2000s
Bridget is an endearing character. She’s incredibly loyal to those she loves and has a flair for witty social commentaries. But unfortunately, she still succumbs to the societal pressures of the early noughties.
“Resolutions should come from a personal place rather than enforcing expectations on ourselves.”
From scrutiny over her weight to patronising comments about her biological clock running out, Bridget dreads attending her mother’s Turkey curry buffet or dinner parties with newlyweds yearly. And sadly, she’s surprised when Mark Darcy declares he likes her just as she is.
In light of this, we should remember that our resolutions shouldn’t come from a place of self-loathing or be rooted in attempting to conform to the social pressures around us. Resolutions should come from a personal place rather than enforcing expectations on ourselves.
Analysing Bridget and her Resolutions
Let’s look at Bridget again: her breakup with Daniel Cleaver inspires her to take action to better her life. She doesn’t wait for January 1st to get out of her slump. (But she does wait to hit rock bottom – literally collapsing on the floor of her apartment after getting blackout drunk on her own).
“Waiting to be at our lowest point or for a once-a-year clean slate is not a sustainable approach”
In the wake of her breakup, Bridget throws away her alcohol, starts going to the gym and swaps out self-help books like What Men Want for How to Get What You Want. Biggest of all, Bridget makes a huge career change. She quits her job where Daniel Cleaver is her boss and finally stands up to him in an iconic and recognisable scene.
So, what can we learn from Bridget? Let’s take the knowledge that starting new habits can take place at any time of the year, not just on January 1st. If we really want to go to the gym more, eat healthily, or progress in our careers – we should start today.
“Resolutions don’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach”
Waiting to be at our lowest point or for a once-a-year clean slate is not a sustainable approach. Taking action throughout the year, rather than waiting until the start of a new one, feels far more sensible.
Redefining New Year’s Resolutions
The run-up to Christmas is usually a period of enjoying ourselves and relaxing. When the New Year comes around, it represents a fresh start. You can forget the past year’s troubles and reinvent yourself. But I think it’s time to move past this age-old idea.
Resolutions don’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach, and we shouldn’t give up each time there’s a Daniel Cleaver-shaped slip-up. We should instead focus on what we want – away from societal pressures and expectations – and be grateful for what we already have. And as the Bridget Jones we know and love will never stop embarrassing herself in public, we too shouldn’t be afraid to make mistakes or slip up when trying to stick to resolutions.
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Featured image courtesy of kla_ via Flickr. No changes were made to this image. Image licence found here.
