Sitting side by side at a Nairobi CBD restaurant, I meet Mary and Jackson Kingori, a couple that have been married for 14 years now.
They were on a lunch date to celebrate their belated anniversary as they marked 14 years of marriage.
Smiling as they fed each other, Mary said the plan that they had made during their first year in marriage had been achieved, and was happy they were drafting their new year plan, together.
"By the second week of December, my wife and I sit down and plan for the next year. At this time, we set aside January rent, shopping money, and other expenses, including school fees, and take the opportunities to write down our goals," Jackson said as Mary nodded.
The New Year resolutions are often noted down at the beginning of the year.
But for this Nairobi couple, for 14 years now, they have been working on their resolution since December.
I got the privilege of witnessing the couple note down their New Year resolutions and I must say I was impressed.
Her resolutions
"I have always wanted to learn a new language, and perfect my baking skills, I think those will be on my top list at the individual level," Mary said.
For the last 13 years, baking and learning a new language was never on Mary's list, she focused on collective goals and buying gadgets for herself.
"I am so happy that during the year 2023, I developed baking interests and for the first time, I will be having a different resolution in developing a skill."
Mary also stated that she is looking forward to travelling outside the country for a week, alone to experience the 'solo trip' hype.
"I can comfortably say that I have succumbed to peer pressure about solo travels. Two of my friends have each previously gone for solo trips and from the stories they shared, they truly enjoyed themselves," she added.
Further on her list, Mary said she will, however, not pressure herself to accomplish them, but hope to meet at least three-quarters of the resolutions.
Additional resolutions for Mary in 2024 include reconciling with her mother and grandmother, having a weekly Journal, going o for swimming lessons during the first quarter of 2024, Save for her dream car, and spending more time for her family(Children, husband, and siblings) and Start a pastry business around July (from acquired baking skills).
His resolutions
On the other side, Jackson said he is looking forward to joining a men's wellness group to keep him at pace with not only physical wellness but also establish a weekly meet-up for catch-ups.
"In January, I lost a friend to suicide, and it was unfortunate that no one from our group knew that he was undergoing some issues. This is why I want us to be meeting monthly to update each other on what is going on in our lives," he said.
Jackson noted that since January, he has been talking to three of his friends daily and intends to continue with that in 2024 and beyond.
"I think on my individual New Year goals, I will be including the phone call party, as people have become so busy, and phone calls are now the order of the day," he added.
For Jackson, he said he is going into the year with simple things and just like his wife, there will be no pressure to accomplish them as he'll give himself more grace.
His additional resolutions are to buy new car tires, visit at least three children's homes with his friends, earn to cook chapati (his wife has for the longest time wanted him to cook chapati for the family), spend more time with family, cycle more, and plant trees while at it, buy a new phone and laptop and Finish his master's degree ( he got stuck at research work and 'gave up' mid-2021).
Collectively, as a couple, Mary and Jackson have been talking about what they want to accomplish since the beginning of the year.
"Surprisingly, some things we had wished for at the beginning of the year we have accomplished them, and we are grateful for that," Jackson said.
When I asked them to share what they have accomplished from the list, they looked at each other and said:
"We bought a house in April."
They said the plan to buy a house was for the year 2024 but a miracle happened and it came early.
"One thing I have come to realize is when you put your mind to something, you will surely accomplish it," Mary said.
Their collective resolutions are to build a house for Jackson's parents, get another child, go to the gym together (become consistent gym partners), travel more, with their children, host visitors at their home for a housewarming (on the first anniversary of buying the house), go on more weekly dates even if it's indoors, love each other more and pray and purchase a parcel of land for their firstborn son.
For privacy, the couple requested not to share their picture(s) and only granted an audio interview.
