'This Year, I'm Resolving To Enjoy... More!'

Writer Jackie Clune says she's calling time on the New Year quest for self-Improvement, and replacing it with fun.

- Jackie Clune

This year, I’m embracing the truth and, truth is, I’m a guilty hedonist. Instead of cutting down on the kilojoules, I’m resolving to have more of everything. More dinners out with my husband. More laughter. More cocktails. More cinema trips and popcorn with my kids. More walks. More reading. More box sets. More films. More shopping trips with my daughters. More time with my mom. More coffee with friends. More getaways. More lipsticks. More music. More family roast dinners and red wine.

I know it’s contrary to the spirit of self improvement that grips so many of us at this time of year, but lately I’ve been asking myself this question – should I spend the rest of my life worrying about my looks, my love handles and my liver? Or should I give up on the idea of bettering myself and look, instead, for upping my quota of pure, unalloyed joy?

After all, what has a lifetime of yo-yo dieting, sporadic exercise and promises to learn Italian done other than leave me feeling full of remorse for not sticking with them? Or even starting them at all.