Sweet New Year Wishes: Very Vanilla Sugar

© 2008 Miri Rotkovitz

On New Year's Day, the BBC reported that the mental health charity Mind was urging people not to make resolutions, for fear that they could weaken self-esteem, or even promote depression or feelings of failure. The charity suggested focusing instead on positive goals like being active, getting in touch with nature, or doing volunteer work. To me, those things sound like resolutions, but I take Mind's point that they don't involve self-chastisement.

And maybe that's what's most important to remember about New Year's resolutions -- they're meant to be a process, and one that ultimately makes you feel good, whether about yourself or the world at large. So don't forget to enjoy yourself along the way. Unless you're going for total asceticism as an end in itself, a little indulgence is a nice thing, and may be just what you need to stay on track, whatever your resolution. To that end, I offer this Very Vanilla Sugar, and my sincerest wishes to all for a sweet new year!