Saturday, January 1, 2011

My new year's resolution is...

More sleep. The fall of the patriarchy. Or just to eat more beetroot? Read some new year's resolutions from well-known women, and share yours below

If these women are anything to go by, many of us find it hard to restrict ourselves to one resolution at this time of year. Lots of women want to be more successful at work and better at home. With that in mind, I resolve to celebrate my first year as women's editor with some stonking editorial coverage of the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, and to stop shouting at my children. Here's what others have to say.

Beeban Kidron, film director and co-founder of Filmclub

I have resolved to speak up and out whatever the consequences ? because standing by is simply not enough. And to stop getting dressed in the dark: 2010 has been a series of sartorial disasters.

Anne Widdecombe, former Conservative MP

I'm not going to make any resolutions this year. I'm just going to see what God sends me. He certainly surprised me this year.

Susie Orbach, psychotherapist, psychoanalyst and writer

To make the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day a focus for addressing violence done to women in many nefarious forms, and to help girls and women feel more comfortable in taking up space in the world, in their families, at work, in their relationships and within themselves.

Arianna Huffington, founder of Huffington Post

My top resolution is to get more sleep. The prevailing culture tells us that nothing succeeds like excess, and that working 70 hours a week is better than working 60. I disagree. After years of burning the candle at both ends, my eyes have been opened to the value of getting some serious shuteye.

Jenni Murray, presenter of Woman's Hour on Radio 4

My resolution is to make no resolution as, on the basis of long previous experience, I shall be unable to keep it. My hope is that my son, who has been travelling for 18 months and working his way around the world as a vet, will come home. My fear is that he'll think it mad to even consider returning to a country that's in so profound a pickle.

Alexandra Shulman, editor of Vogue

I am going to try to get up an hour earlier in the morning in order to write the book I am meant to be writing!

Shazia Mirza, comedian and columnist

My new year's resolution is to stay positive no matter what. I hope the tax man will stop bullying me and pick on someone else, such as Simon Cowell or Philip Green. I fear that I may never be really, really happy, and may never stop eating chocolate eclairs.

Ruthie Rogers, co-founder of the River Cafe

I want to meet Aaron Sorkin, the writer of The West Wing and The Social Network, and to play the piano more.

Deborah Coles, co-director of pressure group Inquest

As the mother of a 12-year-old daughter I hope that the politicisation of young people means being a feminist will no longer be a term of abuse in the playground. On a personal note, I resolve to become less technophobic.

Martha Lane Fox, UK digital champion

I hope that the progress towards building a nation where everyone is able to use the internet continues to ramp, but I fear that without focus we will have nine million people who do not enjoy the benefits of being online. It still staggers me that 21% of women have never used this defining tool of our age.

Jenny Colgan, novelist

My resolution is very clear. I am going to splash out beyond my normal basic family repertoire of lasagnes, pies, soups, conquer my latent fear of beetroot (come on, it's horse food), and attempt to make really, really yummy stuff. To terrify the children if nothing else.

Dr Janine Erler, cancer researcher and winner of Red's Hot Women pioneer award

My team hopes to publish details of molecules that we believe are involved in metastasis, and also evidence of a promising new anti-cancer drug target in 2011. Personally, I want to be better about taking time out from work to spend with friends and family. I also plan to do more yoga and meditation.

Sam Baker, editor-in-chief of Red

It's the curse of the control freak to want to control everything, so this is the year, both personally and professionally, I'm going to resolve to stop that. Less worrying about things I can't change and more focusing on the things I can. It may be harder than resolving to lose half a stone but more constructive in the long term.

Reetha Suppiah, asylum seeker from Malaysia

My wish for 2011 is that we should not be deported. Earlier this year I was taken to Yarl's Wood with my sons ? aged 11 and 22 months at the time ? and held for 18 days. My lawyer is now taking the government to court over their treatment. I wish that women and children who flee here for safety should be treated with respect. That is all I am asking for in 2011, a safe place for me and my boys.

As told to Natasha Walter, founder of Women for Refugee Women

Karen Mattison, director of Women like Us

My wish for 2011 is for greater numbers of businesses to see the value of recruiting talented part-time staff; opening doors to the hundreds of thousands of people, like mums, who are crying out for good quality flexible jobs.

Randi Zuckerberg, marketing director of Facebook and Mark's sister

I am expecting my first child in May so I have a healthy mix of new year's resolutions this year ? a continued desire to excel in my career and help to change the world through technology, mixed with typical mother-to-be wishes and desires for a healthy, happy baby and a beautiful, loving family.

Oona King, new member of the House of Lords, Labour benches

In 2011 I want to go into battle for the things I believe in, such as Britain being a civilised society. My other resolution is slightly contradictory ? and that's to put my children and family before politics.

Siobhan Freegard, co-founder of Netmums

My resolution for 2011 is to stop feeling unproductive guilt. This year, as long as everyone is tucked up in bed at night healthy, happy, fed and clean-ish then I'll stop worrying about what I havn't done and instead I'll give myself a pat on the back and pour a glass of guilt-free wine.

Bidisha, author

A friend told me her 2010 resolution was to "crush the patriarchy". Mine was to get more fresh air. We failed. The patriarchy's still there and I'm still pasty. In 2011, I will out every philanderer, accomplice, abuser, john, mistress and apologist I know. And whenever any producer, editor, commissioner, panel or jury just magically, by chance, features eight male artists/thinkers/guests for every one woman, I'm going to shout in their face 'til they change. Happy holidays sisters. 2011: bring it on.

? What are your new year's resolutions?


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Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/dec/31/my-new-years-resolution

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