Historic Hopes: Londoners’ Quirky New Year’s Resolutions
Forget your modern-day Dry Januarys and digital detoxes! Londoners have been battling their vices and setting ambitious goals for centuries, proving that some things never change. Dive into the fascinating (and often hilarious) New Year's resolutions of historical figures, from notorious diarists to literary giants, who faced the same struggles we do today.
Take Samuel Pepys, for instance, back in 1661. This prolific wine-drinker and theatre-lover decided to go cold turkey, swearing off both until Michaelmas. His reasons? A classic combo of wanting a “wholesome lifestyle” (after much wild abandon, apparently) and a very relatable desire to curb his “spiralling cost of living.” Pepys even considered his partially successful, “intermission-filled” year a triumph, vowing to renew his abstinence. Talk about dedication, even if a little flexible!
Fast forward to 1931, and literary icon Virginia Woolf had a refreshingly anti-resolution resolution: “To have none. Not to be tied.” Instead, she aimed for freedom, kindness to herself, and quiet reading, shunning parties and embracing sartorial excellence. A different kind of self-improvement, indeed. Meanwhile, Charles Dickens, ever the optimist in 1836, simply resolved to give the New Year “credit for being a good one,” a delightful splash of positivity.
Not all resolutions were about self-improvement. The witty James Agate in 1942 promised to “refrain from saying witty, unkind things, unless they are really witty and irreparably damaging.” We've all known (or been) that person! And in 1959, an unnamed Londoner perfectly captured the eternal struggle, cheerfully resolving to stop swearing but conceding it probably wouldn't stick because “office life is very trying.” Honestly, some things never change. These glimpses into the past remind us that human nature, with all its good intentions and hilarious failings, remains wonderfully consistent.
Many Londoners resolved to visit the iconic Tower Bridge London attraction more often, rediscovering the historic landmarks in their own backyard.
Many Londoners working in historic government jobs are resolving to better balance their traditional workplace duties with modern personal wellness goals.
Many tourists who visit London resolutions often include exploring the city's historic landmarks and adopting local traditions for personal growth.
Many Londoners are making unique london museums resolutions this year, pledging to explore the city's rich cultural heritage more thoroughly.
Among the most ambitious pledges recorded were studying in london resolutions, with aspiring students vowing to pursue education in the capital's prestigious institutions.
(Source: https://londonist.com/london/history/london-s-new-year-s-resolutions-throughout-the-centuries)
