How are those New Year’s resolutions going so far?

Did your face kind of screw up as you recalled that list you wrote, committed to, then filed under ‘OK well that’s done’?

The home of my resolutions - where did you hide... sorry, write yours?

Chris Marshall from The Telegraph writes about the difficulties expats in particular have with keeping New Year’s resolutions. If you look at his initial list of regular players you will note they relate to… weight loss, reduction of alcohol intake or smoking and a more balanced fun life. Any of this familiar?

I got a lovely new journal – red, made of leather – for my Christmas and decided it was going to be used for my annual resolutions. And monitoring of said resolutions at the end of every month. And today is 28 January and that dusty little book is sitting there in my peripheral vision begging to be opened. But back to why it is so hard for us….

Marshall attributes these expat specific difficulties to lack of support, constant unpredictable events and the need to socialize in local bars, restaurants and with various groups in order to meet and settle (and therefore have all those temptations within our reach). Valid reasons however it may go a little deeper.

Accountability is always a significant part of the resolution process. The more people we tell we are going to do something, the more likely we may be to do it. When we don’t have too many – or any – accountability partners, it is easier (or so we think) to just let ourselves down. No telling what damage that does.

Personally I think it has to do with an expat malady that is a common ailment – we tend to live in the future rather than the here and now. The next trip home, the next move or the next stressful – yet secretly desired upheaval in our lives. That little adrenaline rush that the constant possibility of moving sustains.

Starting new habits – or stopping old ones – means creating and maintaining new rituals and behaviors that often require some level of stability to ensure success. As soon as something changes – our partner goes away for a week, we go home for a vacation, we have to move house because the company forgot to renew the lease – we find that the first thing to go is the last thing to change.

My suggestion and perhaps my not-New Year’s resolution, is that you make New Location’s Resolutions. A new environment can be stimulating and very conducive to stopping old habits and replacing them with new ones. I struggled with giving up smoking many years ago and managed to do it by coinciding it with a move. New environment with no history of smoking meant no constant reminders. And I haven’t had another cigar (yes I smoked cigars…) in many years.

And if you have no chance of moving soon… then I suggest you go find that little list and do some housekeeping.  Oh and get an accountability partner – I am here

So don’t use it as an excuse, use your expatriateness and unique ability to adapt to and thrive within change as your strength and not your weakness. After all it is just a matter of perspective.

Now where is that little red book… right… Item one….. I promised to do WHAT?????