Dear Jaclyn and Heidi,
Every new year I come to the same horrible conclusion … I’ve failed again to make good on my resolutions to lose weight, get fit, paint a masterpiece, and be nicer to my husband. The problem with losing weight was all the wonderful cuisine at places like Broome, Darwin and Margaret River … and I guess the wine didn’t help, either. And with all that eating and drinking, as well as the sightseeing, how was I ever going to have time to get fit or paint my masterpiece? I suppose I could still have been nicer to Dean but it’s not easy when he still can’t back the van into a site properly, takes an age to set up the awning, and disappears for hours chatting to strangers in caravan parks. Should I just accept my lot and not bother with resolutions any more?!
Toni
I do sympathise. It’s not easy to keep up the high standards we set ourselves at the start of the year. But, while it is important that we stay fit and keep our weight under control, it’s also important that we relax and don’t stress about it. Don’t beat yourself up. Celebrate your wonderful achievements for the year gone by. It sounds like you have been to some amazing places and had an amazing time. And set yourself realistic and achievable goals for the new year. Don’t just say ‘I want to get fit’, say to yourself ‘I will take a bushwalk twice a week’. And resolutions don’t have to be challenges, they can be fun. Maybe promise yourself to snorkel off Ningaloo Reef or visit Katherine Gorge. These are achievements just as important as all those more difficult sounding ones.
Jaclyn
Crikey, Toni. You’re doing okay. Forget those silly new year’s resolutions. If you can continue to explore this magnificent country, continue to enjoy the delicacies on offer, continue to enjoy a healthy tipple, continue to see the sights, and continue to keep Dean on a tight leash, I think the year ahead will be another cracker. It’s easy, after decades of striving to achieve, to think there must be something more you could be doing … but you’re living the dream now, Toni. Sit back in your campchair, pour yourself a glass of red and just accept that you’ll just have to put up with things as they are for another year. Oh, and I wouldn’t be too hard on Dean and his caravan park chatfests. It’s important he at least thinks he’s living the dream, as well.
Heidi
