We are entering Week Four of the New Year and the time when people should be giving up or failing at their New Year’s resolutions…but did they ever begin? Last year I proclaimed my resolution on this blog in response to the abundance of over-achieving and strong-willed resolutions that surrounded New York’s Wall Street Culture. I was anxiously awaiting this year’s pronouncements and goals, but nothing every came. This year, it seems like no one has any resolutions!–Only one person in my office is brushing his teeth at lunch (and even he isn’t flossing!).
–The gyms are no fuller than they were after Thanksgiving.
–The park is empty (busy on sunny days of course, but on the dark cold nights when only the obsessed marathoners and people motivated by resolutions are out there…all there is is crickets).
I will note that I am slightly comforted by the fact that the Manhattan Half-marathon is at capacity for this weekend, but I will be sure to check the actual number of finishers to see the percentage of actual finishers compared to those who signed up.
Have things gotten so bad in New York that people have even given up having resolutions?
5 comments
Anonymous says:
Jan 24, 2009
Actually gym has been way more full since Jan 1st.and I’ve overheard in the locker room people commenting on it.
Trevor says:
Jan 24, 2009
Hey Drake, I too noticed that lack of enthusiasm towards resolutions this year. I suspect it is increased apathy, rather than a deeper understanding of God’s Love.
Just wanted to apologize for posting over you so quickly…I thought the time under your posting was Eastern time and it had been a few hours, but alas I was wrong.
Peace.
ShermanTank says:
Jan 26, 2009
An interesting post no doubt. Historically, there is a direct correlation between people making resolutions and feeling good about themselves. I always thought that my New Years Resolutions were a form of personal hubris and my sort of “I will conquer the world by doing (or not doing) more stuff”. Frankly, I just think New Yorkers feel down on their luck and are therefore more concerned about preserving their lifestyle than they are beating their chest in accomplishment.
Clifford Swartz says:
Jan 26, 2009
Did you mean people are playing Cricket in the Park. Where?!
sbrbaby says:
Jan 26, 2009
Maybe life in NYC has gotten too out of control for people to make resolutions? It’s just one more thing that they’ll have to manage and probably fail at in an already volatile environment…
If anybody out there IS struggling to keep up a resolution, there was a great article in today’s Metro that gives 6 steps to stick with it. #4 Be positive!