Living life at full throttle is New Year plan: Bengaluru youths

BENGALURU: From knocking off a few kilos to go on foreign trips, to stop gossiping to eating healthier, the list of New Year resolutions usually goes on and on. But 2023 seems to be different for Bengaluru's chic crowd: Making resolutions is a passe, living life to the lees is in.
When STOI interacted with young revellers on Brigade Road and Church Street on New Year's eve to find out what their list of resolutions for 2023 would read like, a surprise awaited as a majority of them said they had distanced themselves from the tradition of making annual promises to themselves."Just going by the flow, bro! No plans, no resolutions. We are gonna take life as it comes this year," chorussed a group of teenagers.
Reena Sharma, a college student, said: "I stopped making a to-do list last year itself, I don't have any regrets at the end of 2022. I will not ring in 2023 with resolutions, I just wanna stay happy."
Sunil B, a student at one of the city colleges said: "I'm just trying to take every day as it comes, giving my mental health the most priority rather than racing towards a resolution under pressure."
Another youngster Sahen G said: "I have not made any resolutions this year, because I never followed any of them in the past. So I'm not bothering to make any this year."
The beginning of a NY brings with it the sense of a clean slate, or a "do-over" and the chance to make positive changes, but this may also result in inflated expectations.
"People frequently resolve to exercise more or save more money, but these objectives can be challenging, as they require much time and work, which they might not consider as they make these goals in the first place. People may feel defeated and disappointed if they are unable to achieve these aims," said Roshni Saha, a software professional. Another reveller Soumya S said: "I just want to eat more healthy!"
A more intentional and thoughtful approach to self-improvement is becoming popular among youngsters.
A few people are focussed on making little, consistent changes throughout the year than setting a single agenda at the beginning of the New Year. "You can still achieve some goals without coming under the pressure of any resolution. This is relaxing and provides an opportunity for greater adaptability and susceptibility to changes that an individual might face during the year," said Kumuda V, a techie from JP Nagar.
This is in contrast to what the grown-ups think. Karthik Rao, a marketing manager who had come with his wife and two children to a restaurant on Residency Road, said: "I have made a few. It gives me a sense of a direction to steer in the new year. Improving my financial health and doing two foreign trips top the list."
- Anina Jacob