Well, that time of year is here again. We look back at the past 12 months wondering where they have gone, reflecting on what we have achieved and looking ahead to what we hope for as we welcome a new year.
And 2022 has been filled with incredible highs and its fair share of hardships, forcing us all to practise resilience and strength – whether in a personal capacity or community wide.
Like the rest of Australia, the Sunshine Coast has continued to face challenges relating to flooding and natural disasters, the rising cost of living, worker shortages and a housing crisis – but as always, the positives continue to shine through.
We’ve seen the region come back to life as we welcome tourists post-pandemic. The Coast is also thriving with successful local businesses and entrepreneurs, not to mention the introduction of many new and innovative industries.
With infrastructure continuing to develop, the push to remain a suitable region working alongside the environment has also been a hot topic as the Coast strives to lead the way in
this field.
As always, the region has also shown its immense generosity, with many residents opening their hearts and wallets to those in need throughout the year.
So, as we close the doors on 2022, let the countdown to 2023 begin.
Breaking old habits
It wouldn’t be a new year without a list of resolutions to help quash bad habits, be better versions of ourselves or focus on the future. But what are we looking for
in 2023?
Recent data from Finder revealed 71 per cent of Australians – equivalent to 14.2 million people – and 71 per cent of Queenslanders are setting a New Year’s resolution.
Eating healthier was the top resolution for 2023, with 32 per cent of Queenslanders pledging to instil healthier habits, and 30 per cent hoped to improve their fitness.
A further 28 per cent were motivated to lose weight, while 17 per cent plan to sleep more. Travel is making a comeback, with 15 per cent wanting to go on a trip overseas in 2023.
Meanwhile, 14 per cent want to work less or have a better work-life balance.
But not everyone will make a New Year’s resolution, with 29 per cent of Queenslanders planning to enter 2023 without setting a goal.
Finder expert Amy Bradney-George said the New Year is a time that inspires people to set positive goals, whether it’s around health and fitness, money and travel or something else.
“Australians have had a tough year, with record inflation and the cost-of-living pinch pushing up the cost of essentials, including food, electricity and petrol,” she said.
“For New Year’s resolutions around eating healthy, there may be some challenges with higher food prices but there are still ways to save – such as shopping for in-season fruit and vegetables or checking out local farmers’ markets for great deals.”
Ms Bradney-George said this goal could be a ‘win-win’ for people who also want to be more sustainable – a goal that 13 per cent of Queenslanders hope to achieve.
She said most New Year resolutions can also be adjusted for different budgets and that it is also a good time to check in with individual money goals.
Top five New Year’s resolutions for 2023 (Source: Finder)
- Eat more healthily.
- Lose weight.
- Improve fitness.
- Sleep more.
- Travel overseas.
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