Inspired by Camera Obscura. (2013). New Year’s Resolution [Song]. Desire Lines [Album]. 4AD Ltd

Photo by Maddi Bazzocco on Unsplash

Welcome to another new year! The beginning of each new year also brings with it the opportunity to resolve to start afresh, so with this in mind, one week into the new year we will turn to Camera Obscura number New Year’s Resolution.

The song speaks of simply writing anything being something of value to writing new years resolutions. I’ve never really been one for writing new year’s resolutions. Or even making them at all if truth be told. However, this year I sort of am. What’s changed for me? It’s the idea of intentionality.

Whilst I recoil at the idea of being driven by anything artificially constructed by myself or someone else, I’ve started to recognise that unless I make a conscious decision to act in a pre-determined way, I’m not going to drift into it. Indeed, if anything, I’m more likely to just drift into whatever is easiest at the moment. So, I’m going to try not just to create something, but to create something of value to me as my intention. And I can’t help but feel this song has a great starting point for this intention.

The song reminds us that we need to set our intentions with the focus that we will commit to only being ourselves. As I attempt to start 2026 with purpose, that purpose is going to try to structure my life to be more me. More of the things I believe in, aspire to be and will create more integrity between my desired and actual life decisions.

So, what will my new years resolutions look like? They will be about how I intend to spend my time, a refreshed commitment to all my most valuable relationships and a prioritisation to all the things which serve my sense of purpose. In terms of work, career and money, these are all to be subservient. Only by doing this can I start the year with a commitment to my own wellbeing and becoming the best self I can be. How might this look for you?

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