Lily Wallen asks around in three parts of the city centre
New Year’s Resolutions. Why do we do it to ourselves? Surely another year under the belt is accomplishment enough, and we should give ourselves (and each other) a big pat on the back?
But a goal in life can be a good thing, be it cutting down on the fags, ditching that kings ransom of a TV subscription and picking up a book, or even - god forbid - taking up exercise.
Lily Wallen went out around town to ask the great Mancunian public - do you have a New Year’s Resolution?
Piccadilly Gardens
Heather, teacher and mum of three, visiting Manchester Christmas markets with a friend. Lives in the Isle of Man, from Toronto originally.
“Because I'm a mum of three and a teacher, I’d say make more time for me. Just little 24 hour breaks. Nothing extravagant, just getting away.
“I'm the kind of person that functions best if I have something to look forward to. So I would try to be a bit more organized and make a plan every six months for a weekend away. It doesn't have to be anywhere far, just something with either my husband or with friends.
“The world is so depressing these days and I think looking after yourself is so important. Getting away, having a walk in the fresh air, and being somewhere different.”
Beenish, 34, a member of the security team at the Christmas markets. Moved to Manchester from Pakistan two years ago. A former education consultant.
“I want to change my career. I’m enjoying this but it’s not my career. I used to be an education consultant back home so I definitely want to start my own consultancy business for international students.”
Steven. Carpenter from Cork. On a weekend break from Ireland with his wife Peata.
“No, I'm not setting any. I'm open minded… if that's what someone wants to do then go for it, but I'm not setting any. I'm too old for that shit. I've done it too many times. It doesn't work.
“It might just be the older people, I think the younger people think it’s great.”
Zaf, Supervisor at Stagecoach. From Longsight. Mid 40s.
“I used to smoke. I gave that up two years ago now and I wanna give up vapes. That’s my new year's resolution because we just don’t know what’s in them.
“You’ve got to start off the new year with a new health goal. Without health you can have a million pounds in the bank but if you’re laid up in a bed you can’t spend it. Health is wealth. The first thing you have to look after is your health. Everything else comes second.”
Group of five workfriends waiting in line at Shein installation, aged between 21-27.
Tia: “Make more money, keep going to the gym, be even more consistent. This year I want to be more intentional.
“We’re waiting here for something free. We work in an undisclosed office around the corner. We shouldn’t really be out of the office, that’s why we can’t disclose.”
Nicole: “Mine’s Duolingo. I want to reach a year’s streak - don’t ask me to speak a word of it though. I'm on a 187-day streak at the moment. I went to Nice 2 years ago. I want to go back and tell them all to swivel in French because the people were so rude. I’m spurred on.”
Another friend: “I smoke too much, I wouldn’t even pretend to want to give that up.”
Olivia, chef and manager at Rita’s Reign, a family business in Piccadilly Gardens food market.
“As a team 2025 is the year of movement for us. That means moving, growing together, helping each other out. We’re like a family here.
“We’re trying to expand and grow; next year we’ll have two stalls at the Christmas market.”
Hisham, a cleaner at Piccadilly Gardens food market.
“I’m going to jump to a new level in the new year. I’m excited because I'm going to make a new me. The first thing is cutting down my cigarettes.
“You have to promise not to be shocked when I tell you I smoke 40 a day. So I'm going to cut down to 30, then 20, then 10.”
Ancoats
Lucy 31, Ben 29, and dog Dennis. Newlyweds who live in Ancoats. Work in social media.
Lucy: “My new year’s resolutions are to find a hobby and buy less clothes. Stop overconsuming, be more sustainable.
“Maybe something like a painting class or a writing class, something creative. I think I need a third space.”
Ben: “I haven’t thought about it yet but we keep saying we want to get out more, like do more big walks in the countryside. We struggle to get out of the city and don’t have any suitable footwear so I told my mum to order me hiking boots for Christmas. Get out more and get in the fresh air.”
Sophie and Chris, a young couple living in Ancoats. Both 28. Sophie is an account manager at a travel agency and Chris is a business owner.
Sophie: “We’re on about moving to Australia at the end of next year, so our new year’s resolution would be saving and planning for that.
“We want to travel and see new things, you know Australia and Asia.
“Chris wants a change of career and this will push him to do it.”
Chris: “I’m doing a complete career change. I'm moving into occupational health and safety but right now I’m a business owner. I want more of a 9-5, I want to be able to leave work at the door.
“5 o clock, come home, and leave it all behind. Worry about everything at 9am tomorrow. I’ve been thinking about next year a lot but not necessarily under the pretense of resolutions.”
Sophie: “I want a career change as well. Something more creative. I make jewellery on the side so I'd love to expand that. I've been in corporate and hospitality for years and I'm done with it.”
Ian, 50, and Jennie, 48, a couple from Altrincham. Ian is a Chief Technical Officer at a tech company and Jennie works in marketing.
Ian: “There’s always too much pressure to do something, I’ve not got a resolution. Everything always goes out the window by the end of January and you end up disappointed.”
Jennie: “I think I’m gonna give less of a toss. As you come towards the end of the year, things get hectic at work. At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter. I don’t do a job where I'm saving a life, so just chill out. Like who actually cares?”
Unnamed mum with a baby, in a rush
“Oh my god, I have a newborn and him (pointing at toddler). I wish I had brain space for resolutions but I really can’t help with that. It’s pure survival.”
Noel and Ella with their dogs Eddie and Bowey. Previously lived in Ancoats but recently moved to Blackley. Ella is 31, Noel is older.
Noel: “It’s too early to think about resolutions, but then I guess that depends how your year’s been.”
Ella: “I'm not big for it anyway.”
Noel: “I used to do them in the past but I'm a bit more easy on myself now. I used to want to get fitter every year. Actually, we have been saying that next year we wanna try and get away a bit more. We didn’t manage to go away this year. We’ve got a dog trailer so we want to do more adventure holidays.”
Spinningfields
Colin, 42, and Tom, 29. Workmates from NatWest.
Colin: “Hate them, not bothered, they never work. If you want to set a new goal then just do it whenever, don’t wait for a new year to come around.”
Tom: “Spoken like the sage you are. I’ve done dry January before, but never again. I don’t want to punish myself.”
Anita and Martin, husband and wife from Bolton with two kids. Owners of a branding agency. Visiting the city for their company Christmas meal.
Anita: “No new year's resolutions, just live life free. It might be a bit cliched but new year’s is a bad time to set new goals anyway, It’s cold, it’s dark, and comfort food is at its best.”
Martin: “Forgive yourself, don’t put too much pressure on. Stop worrying about everything. It’s not always easy to do that though.”
“We’ve got teenagers who are doing GCSEs and A-levels, so it’s not about us, we’re in the background. I’ve got loads of resolutions for them though.”
Unnamed couple in early 60s
Husband: “Yeah, I’m gonna stop dogging.”
Wife: “I’m similar, although it’s been fun, hasn’t it?”
Husband: “It has been fun yeah, great way to meet new people.”
Header image credit: Manchester Metropolitan University Special Collections Museum
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