Friday, December 28, 2007
Page 15
AT THE SIDEBAR (Column)
Old Habits Live Forever
By J’AMY PACHECO
With a new year at hand, it’s traditional to start thinking about resolutions.
At this time of year, many people resolve to make changes in their behavior that will result in improvements to their lives and situations. I recently read that the top 10 New Year’s resolutions include spending more time with family and friends, losing weight, exercising, ceasing smoking and drinking, and getting out of debt. Those are worthy goals, but they’re just not for me.
I don’t make resolutions. It’s not that there is nothing about me that needs changing; I just don’t see a new year as representing a new start.
It wasn’t always that way. When my daughter started school, however, it occurred to me that each “new year” for us starts in September. That’s the month when millions of children get new clothes, start a new grade, get a new teacher, move up a level in homework difficulty and suddenly look bigger, older — different. A new grade in school means reconnecting with people who haven’t been seen all summer, and often, trying to make new impressions. It’s a time when change is obvious and usually dramatic. In my mind, that’s what a “new year” is all about.
For me, January 1 has pretty much become a day to sleep in, watch the Rose Parade and start stressing over the impending return to our school day routines.
Besides, the failure rate of New Year resolutions is almost legendary. Many people start out with good intentions and follow through — for a little while. But before long, they’re back to their old habits.
The saying that “old habits die hard” is no exaggeration. I know this because I’ve been trying to give something up for quite some time, but have failed.
I am addicted to Diet Coke. Some might argue that “addicted” is an unfair word to describe my relationship with the bubbly liquid. But since I wake up each morning craving one the way other people crave their first “cup of Joe,” I think the word “addiction” is pretty accurate. My addiction to Diet Coke is so well-known that an acquaintance once gave me a case of the stuff for Christmas.
The problem is, I know it can’t possibly be healthy. I’ve made several attempts to stop drinking it, but with no success.
Early this year, I managed to go almost an entire week without any while chaperoning a fifth grade trip to a seaside science camp.
I was tempted when I discovered the camp had a vending machine that dispensed another diet cola. But since we’d designated the machine as off-limits for the students, I felt it would be hypocritical to use it myself. Besides, I don’t have the same cravings for other colas or diet drinks. So I went without.
On our last night, I discovered that one of the moms who stayed in the adult cabin had brought a cooler on the trip, and had stocked it with my favorite beverage. She showed up at the cabin I was chaperoning, and offered me her last can.
I couldn’t resist. It was the beginning of downhill slide.
I’ve made some progress. I’ve cut my consumption enough that most days, I have only one. That doesn’t always work, though, because to me, food eaten out just doesn’t taste the same without an accompanying Diet Coke. A restaurant meal almost guarantees going overboard on my daily intake.
I once read that it takes 21 days to establish a new habit. Unfortunately, I’ve never made it even a third of the way to see if that applies to a cola addiction.
I could resolve to go cold turkey and give it up, but since I’ve already tried that, I don’t see the point.
There are other areas in which I could resolve to improve. I could, for example, be a better housekeeper. But given the choice of dusting or giving my Disneyland annual pass a workout, I’ll choose my happy place every time. Hopefully, my daughter will retain those memories far longer than any of lemon-scented, highly polished furniture.
I could be thinner, stronger, smarter, more organized, healthier, friendlier, and even more punctual. But I could also be a lot less of all these things, so I guess I’m okay.
I wish you a happy new year — without all the fanfare of change and fresh starts. I hope you get up, enjoy your day, have some fun, and feel good about yourself. It’s an approach you can carry with you right into the next day, and throughout 2008.
So have a Happy New Year — every day.
Copyright 2007, Metropolitan News Company