A few vague New Years’ resolutions to start off 2026 with…
Yes, I know 2025 isn’t over yet but I’d like to try get slightly ahead of the curve for a change.
Truth be told, I don’t really any clear resolutions for 2026 as of yet. I still plan on going to the local hub three days a week to work out, but so far, nothing’s set in stone aside from a few immediate dates in my calendar. I’ll be seeing Biffy Clyro in Belfast in less than a fortnight away, which will be my third time seeing them. I’ve been a fan of this band since my mid-to-late teens and they kick so much ass live, although it’ll be interesting to see how they manage without bassist James Johnston, who’s taking a step back to address his mental health. It’ll be strange to see them without a core member because for me, the chemistry between the three band members has always a big part of what makes Biffy such a good band. Nevertheless, I wish James all the best with his recovery and I’m confident that it’s still gonna be a brilliant show regardless, just with a slightly different dynamic this time around.
Another vague plan I have for the month of January is to maybe catch up on some of the movies, music and shows from yesteryear that I missed out on when they were a bit more timely… Pluribus, Predator: Killer of Killers, Alien: Earth, the second season of Peacemaker, Frankenstein, Wake Up Dead Man, Welcome to Derry, the new Rosalia and Pulp albums… and maybe a few films that are still out in the cinema… Zootropolis 2 (also known as Zootopia 2 in the rest of the world), Marty Supreme and The Housemaid are on my radar right now. I’d also go see Sentimental Value if it was playing locally but as far as I know, it’s only showing at the Queen’s Film Theatre. Perhaps it’ll go wide in the New Year but I’m not entirely sure. It’s a mostly-subtitled drama and those are a tough sell for general moviegoers even at the best of times. You never know. Stranger things have happened.
Speaking of Stranger Things… I haven’t watched the new season yet. I kind of lost interest in the show after its third season but I do want to get back into it.
OK so these aren’t really New Years’ resolutions. Like I said, I don’t have any proper resolutions made out, but I can always make a start. My first and main goal in 2026 is to be mindful and deliberate when I’m scrolling on my phone. I know that sounds a little silly but even I have to acknowledge that I did spend way too much on my phone in 2025… more so than in previous years. It’s a bad habit and I feel like I’m slowly becoming part of the so-called “second-screen” demographic that Netflix is apparently trying to cater towards. I don’t think I’ve ever rallied against people for watching movies and shows in a manner, mostly because I don’t like to preach but also because I’m every bit as guilty of it. I’ll admit that there’s been many times where I’ll watch something while I’m typing away on the laptop or I’ll have something on in the background while I’m playing a game. It’s something that I’ve preconditioned myself to do ever since I was a little boy, but because of the way that Netflix and other streamers are conditioning viewers to passively consume content, it’s only now where I’m starting to realise that it is a problem… and a habit that I’d personally like to break. Hell, the times where I have broken the habit, I’ve found myself enjoying a movie or a show all the more because of it.
So, that’s my starting point for what I’d like to do in 2026, mostly because it is achievable and I think it’s a small step towards painting a better future for myself personally.
Guess we’ll see where that goes.
