One of the most common resolutions that everyone makes every New Year is to have a healthier lifestyle. — Pixabay
Most of us experience a sense of thrill and renewed emotions this time of the year. The mind goes into overdrive, seeking the next challenge.
Let’s review how the mind factory works and the thoughts it produces with the arrival of the New Year.
For some, it’s just another day. Yet, with family and friends around us, the seasonal mood, joy and celebration often pull us in. It makes us feel enticed, wanting to be part of it. Children especially, look forward to this time.
When the New Year comes around, many people will think about what they would like to achieve in the next 12 months. Usually it’s a personal goal or target, or one made with someone else, or as a group.
Some may even have the spirit to jot these down and monitor their progress.
It is as important to set goals that are achievable, though, because small wins are often what keep us going. Even small goals like cutting down sugar intake can be very satisfying when achieved.
For others, losing weight to stay fit may be the wish.
It also depends on what you truly want to achieve.
Mind you, 365 days can feel like a very short time once we burden it with overly ambitious targets and stress ourselves out over meeting them.
Life itself must stay fun and as stress-free as possible.
Targets should be achievable, and we should enjoy the process. The journey and the destination should both be gratifying. Let’s look at what the most common New Year’s resolutions are.
Family
One of the greatest responsibilities for any family member is caring for elderly parents. Some ensure their parents’ comfort and needs are taken care of, such as annual medical check-ups, personal care and companionship.
Others may want their parents to be physically closer, so they can spend more time together.
Some may want to mend relationships and have a stronger bond with, as well as be kinder to, their parents, siblings and spouse. It matters more than you think to be kind to those who are still around, as regretting things when it’s too late is not worthwhile.
Let us also practise unity in diversity within our families, friendships and the world at large. A wise man once said, when there is harmony at home, there will be order in the nation, and when there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.
There would be newlyweds planning to have children in 2026, too, or couples who wish to expand their family.
Some parents may start sending their young children to school in the new year. The home, once alive with the chatter of curious kids, will suddenly become still during the day.
At this point, the shaping of a child’s mind no longer happens within the home alone. Parents and teachers begin to share the responsibility of guiding and nurturing young lives. However, we must be reminded that accountability – even in education – does not fall on teachers solely as caregiving primarily remains the responsibility of the parents.
Travel
Globetrotting is on many people’s wish list each year. When we travel, we learn.
While some may seek adventure and new experiences, others may simply want to observe interesting cultures and lifestyles in different parts of the world.
It can also be a journey that gives room for our minds to wander, reflect on life and even find solutions to our problems at times.
The change of pace and environment can be inspirational and do us good occasionally.
Destinations like Tashkent in Uzbekistan offer medieval structures and its history on Islamic civilisation. Japan amazes us with its structured systems and cleanliness, while the Australian outback offers fresh air, clear blue skies and a laid-back lifestyle.
When we converse with people from different backgrounds, our cognitive skills improve and our perspectives broaden.
Travelling to new places opens up our minds and reshapes how we see the world and ourselves. Often, what we once hold dear may shift. We understand that everything is transient, that all things arise and pass. Nothing is permanent.
Batik Air flies to 63 destinations across 20 countries, giving travellers the choice of four- season countries like Japan, Korea and Australia, or the warm regions of South-East Asia.
Finance
This year, many may wish to earn more or just reduce their financial burden. Some may aim for better-paying jobs, not just in terms of compensation but also work-life balance.
While it may be impossible for everyone to be completely debt-free, avoiding excessive debt must be one of our primary goals. After all, financial woes and mental distress are closely linked.
Though the trend among Malaysians today is to spend first and pay later, we still have to be mindful of our spending.
In charting New Year resolutions, this is a reasonable reminder for us all.
Personal growth
This is one of the most common resolutions. Young adults may be searching for a partner, or want stable jobs, promotions and career development. Students preparing for important exams are focused on shaping the next phase of their lives.
Meanwhile, those entering retirement in 2026 may find time for loved ones and long-forgotten hobbies, such as cycling, swimming or gardening. For them, the priority would be to keep the mind occupied and the body healthy.
Regardless of which stage of life you are in, the key for personal growth is patience, perseverance and surrender. While patience and perseverance are commonly understood, surrender is not so clear. It basically means to surrender the outcome of our efforts once endurance has reached its limit. By surrendering, we limit our expectations and with that, our disappointments too.
Often, nature gives us more than we ever imagined, though not always in the way we anticipated. And one day, looking back, we may find ourselves saying, “This is far more than I ever hoped for.”
Health
You may have more money and time, but without good health, everything else becomes meaningless. Be resolute.
Stepping out of our comfort zone is never easy, but the results are often rewarding and motivating. It is also important to watch what we eat and stay active, whether through daily physical activity or a persistent weekly routine.
In 2026, we wish everyone the best of health.
We can analyse further how the mind factory works for different segments of people during the New Year, but let us go one step further. What if Mother Nature had a voice and shared her own New Year resolution for us? Would it be: “Care for me well, and I will care for you better”?
Every living creature has a role to play. Remove one, and the balance collapses. Bees, for instance, pollinate the crops that feed us. Imagine a world without bees.
We say we love nature, yet we do not always see the damage we cause. Plastic that never disappears. Pollution entering the sea and returning to our bodies through the food chain.
And finally, ponder how many birds, animals and pets are terrified by the noise of the fireworks while we celebrate the New Year.
Let us change now, so we can give our children a brighter tomorrow. Amend those lacking habits – you know what they are.
Slowly but surely, good character and lifestyle patterns can be shaped over time, for ourselves and those around us.
How about making 2026 not just another year: live in the present, be happy, and take better care of our planet.
May our New Year resolutions be fulfilled.
