The end of December was for many the time of year to reflect on past events and think about the coming year. We suddenly and temporarily became nostalgic of past successes and failures wishing the year had ended earlier or lasted a few extra months. For the optimistic ones, a new year brings the prospect of new projects, a better life and the desire to make things better. I would like to be one of them. If 2012 taught me one thing, it is to be half full.

Whilst taking the time to reflect on the subject of this post, I came across an old research carried out on New Year’s resolutions. Apparently, 77% of new year “resolutioners” maintain their resolutions for a month and 19% of the people surveyed maintain them for 2 years. I am surprise! I though the world of list-makers (how do you think one can possibly remember all those pledges for more than a couple of days) was only made of a small number of people (including my husband). I guess I was wrong. If 1 in 5 gets to realise past year’s grand plans, can this mean that 1 in 5 “resolutioner” is a happier person at the end of a year?

So which category do you fall in? Are you one of the relenting 77%, the persistant and organised 19% or neither (planning for the year ahead is not your thing)?

This year is going to be different for me; really different. Instead of making a list that I may sporadically look at, I feel a photograph is more evocative of what I want to achieve. There is the idea of writing more and better, supporting my local shops and community, learning and practising photography more, working hard so as to afford to only drink tea in bone China (that’s the ambition at least), going back to the UK to taste one more time the scrumptious and unusual liquorice and hemp chocolate by Cocomaya, taking the time to look at all the photos I took over the past months and daydream over the places I’ve been to, always having cut flowers on my reclaimed wood sideboard, making the most of my son’s childhood and remembering that he is only a child and finding a good balance between baking, eating cakes and eating healthily. If all these become my reality, I will be a happier person at the end of 2013.

Thanks to Books Actually for the hiring of their quirky props. Merci also to the Tiong Bahru Bakery for the fantastic croissant.