The new year is always a funny time. You don’t have far to look to find people left right and centre making the most ridiculously improbable vows, the kind which make you wonder that if they had followed their own advice sooner the world would already be a much better place. And then you get the disbelievers. The skeptics who refuse to make such unbelievable resolutions and claim that it’s better to make small and achievable goals for themselves throughout the year. That’s all well and good, and I understand the problem with making far fetched claims about how you’re suddenly going to be a much better human being, but I actually really like new year’s resolutions. There’s something really inspiring about people all over the world taking a deep breath and collectively looking at their lives, reevaluating their goals and dreams and aspirations, from the mundane to the extraordinary.

With that in mind, here are my own resolutions, made permanent and public on the internet for my own good.

It’s probably the most cliche one in the book, but I’m looking forward to a post-Christmas detox and health kick and putting regular exercise somewhere back into my life. I’ll probably work out a few more specific targets as I go along, but it’s definitely worth prioritising and remembering as I begin this year.

I know I’m not alone when I say that I feel as if fear is holding me back from so many things that I want to do. A little bit of anxiety at times certainly doesn’t help, but I think that it’s important to remind yourself sometimes that letting yourself be fearful is putting obstacles in front of yourself. I’m a firm believer in mind over matter and a mental readjustment every now and again can do you the world of good.

Sometimes being brave means doing something so simple, so ordinary and then allowing yourself to feel proud. Sometimes it’s doing something ridiculously scary. Something like, I don’t know, living in another country. Or, say, writing a book. Now, I don’t know who would be stupid enough to do that…

If 2014 was the year I finally figured out what I wanted, then 2015 has to be the year that I go and get it. I’ve never felt so determined to work hard and get things done. It’s especially important that I do this now now seeing as my parents spent the Christmas break proudly announcing to my family that “Beth’s written a book” and if anything’s ever going to encourage you to work hard, it’s got to be the fear of family and friends saying that they can’t wait to read it. Putting something like that up for human consumption? Oh god, I’m terrified.

I’m going to do it, though. I’m going to do it and it’s going to be amazing. And with the gritting of my teeth and the acceptance that I’ve got to become a social recluse for a little while, I’m ready for 2015 and everything that it’s going to bring.

What do you think about new year’s resolutions? A waste of time or an important start to the year? And how do you make yours?