I’ve read a few “this was my year” blog posts in the last day or so; no doubt I’ll read a few more in coming days. I honestly can’t remember much of positive significance happening this year, compared to last year (which was huge). For a few reasons though, I am glad that this year is nearly over and that a new one is about to begin.

I can’t say I’m disappointed about 2007, although I do feel I would like to have “achieved” more. From a work perspective, I did no conferences, and I wrote no papers. I did keep some servers from failing, though, and helped a few folks with some problems they had.

I think it’d be great to understand why folks attach so much significance to the change of the calendar. The symbolism of “turning a new page” happens every day; why do we disregard that and think only of the new Year? It’s no wonder so many folks fail in their New Years Resolutions — the intimidation of having to keep to a promise you make yourself for a whole year is enormous! And we never choose anything simple, do we? Resolutions are always “lose thirty kilos in time for Gracie’s wedding” or “stop smoking” or “try and be a better person”. Achievability is sacrificed in the face of having to make a huge gesture in the face of tons of brightly-coloured explosives going off in the air above us (or on the television in front of us).

So, for me this year, I am making one New Year’s Resolution: to not make any New Year’s Resolutions. I’ll be making New Days Resolutions instead — every day, I will think of something I can do with that day. When I do it, I’ll be able to enjoy a little celebration of having achieved my Resolution. But what to resolve? Well, little things that add up to something big. Fixing my corrupted LDAP database, for example (for Susan to get her address book entries back). Taking myself out of the house and walking (to improve my health). Cooking dinner for the family (without being asked). Ringing family and friends for a chat, without having a reason.

The best part of this plan is that by the end of January, when I’m surrounded by miserable folks bemoaning the demise of their New Years Resolutions, I’ll have celebrated thirty-one Resolutions and be feeling great!

Some of you reading this are saying “hang on, those ‘Resolutions’ are all stuff that people do every day, how can you make Resolutions out of that?”. Well I’m sure many people do these things daily, but they’re not me. Everyone’s life is what they make of it, and many of us (me included) need to realise that a little effort trying to do big things doesn’t work — what’s needed is a big effort on the little things.

The best thing about 2007 for me was feeling signs that I’m getting better — getting my head out of whatever place it’s been in the past few years. Work still sucks, and is actually getting worse, but that’s not the crushingly depressing thing it would have been two years (or even twelve months) ago. If 2008 holds more of the same improvement then that’ll be fine with me.

Happy New Year, readers… Best wishes for prosperity and happiness, wherever you are and whatever you wish for!