New Year's resolutions changed OUR LIVES

Two women reveal how their promises of self-improvement have brought them unforeseen joy, happiness and fulfilment

- KIM WILLIS

‘It’s made me the person I am today’

Klara Schmidt, 24, is from London.

It was after hearing a lecture at university on animal ethics that I wrote my 2017 New Year’s resolution. I was saddened at the prevalence of animal cruelty, even in this day and age, and I wanted to do something about it. That’s when I decided I’d undertake a year of activism. Unsure where to start, I researched online, which is how I found The Humane League, who campaign to end the abuse of animals raised for food. Originally an American non-profit organisation, they’d just set up in the UK and I became their first volunteer here.

One of my first protests took place outside a fast-food restaurant, and I was so nervous, but it was such a positive experience. I gained confidence as I went on peaceful, silent protests and got involved in research projects, then started training other volunteers and delivering talks at festivals and markets.

When I graduated in July 2018, I knew that my career needed to be in animal protection. But an eating disorder I’d been battling with since before university continued to plague me.

There were times when I felt so cold and weak, with no energy. I realised that in order to fulfil my mission in life, I needed to be healthy. It was the motivation I needed to prevent me from spiralling down completely.