I buoni propositi per l’anno nuovo
New Year's resolutions
It’s that time again, when we take stock of the year just ended (fare un bilancio dell’anno appena chiuso) and resolve to do better (fare meglio) in the new year. Even the best of us have something we could improve (anche i migliori hanno qualcosa su cui migliorare), notes an Italian commentator, quoting the wisdom of the beloved cartoon dog Snoopy, who declared, “I am not perfect. I am almost perfect.” (“Io non sono perfetto. Sono quasi perfetto.”)
In the quest to become a little less imperfect (un pò meno imperfetto), here are some resolutions Italians are making this year. You might want to add one or two to your list.
1. Losing weight (dimagrire)
Most of us share the desire to lose the pounds (perdere i chili) we put on during the elaborate feasts (stravizi) of the holidays. And so the number-one resolution of Italians is to mettersi a dieta (go on a diet) or iscriversi in palestra (join a gym).
2. Thrift (parsimonia)
As the Italian economy continues to struggle, many Italians are tightening their belts (stringere la cinghia), resolving to buy only useful things (comprare solo cose utili) and resisting impulse purchases (acquisti d’impulso).
3. More time with loved ones (più tempo agli affetti)
Too often because of work commitments (impegni di lavoro), rushing (fretta) or simply laziness (pigrizia), we don’t take time to visit a grandmother (nonna) who may always repeat the same things (ripete sempre le stesse cose) or an aunt (una zia) who constantly asks if you are eating enough (se mangiate abbastanza). Be patient (portate pazienza) and remember that they care about you (si preoccupano per voi).
4. Finding time for yourself (trovare del tempo per se stessi)
Many Italians are resolving to enrich themselves personally (arricchirsi personalmente) by learning something new (imparare qualcosa di nuovo). Among the most popular options are learning a language (imparare una lingua)—my personal favorite—or taking a photography course (fare un corso di fotografia).
5. Smiling (sorridere)
This is something that costs nothing (qualcosa che non costa nulla) but that yields a lot of satisfaction (procura molta soddisfazione). Give yourself a daily minimum number (un numero minimo)—perhaps three smiles (tre sorrisi) to start, and work up to five (cinque).
6. Commit to doing the things we do not like (Impegnarsi a fare le cose che non ci piacciono)
We all have things we only do when practically under threat of death (sotto minaccia di morte), whether it’s washing the car (lavare l’auto) or cleaning up the kitchen (riordinare la cucina). Forget all the excuses (tutte le scuse) and give them a try (provateci). La vostra coscienza vi ringrazierà, almeno per qualche tempo. (Your conscience will thank you, at least for a little while.)
Whatever you resolve to do to improve yourself or your life in the coming year, here’s a word of encouragement: Forza!
Dianne Hales is the author of LA BELLA LINGUA: My Love Affair with Italian, the World's Most Enchanting Language.
Click below for a song to inspire your resolutions and your new year:
