Quest for prosperity, working harder, quitting smoking and alcohol are top on the list.

It is that time of the year when people are always looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward into the New Year through traditional vows. As people reflect on the changes they want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes, some of those popular New Year resolutions taken during this period include amongst others quitting alcohol, smoking, keeping fit, getting out of debt, working hard and spending time with family.

Many people have already resolved to quit alcohol and smoking this year. Most young Cameroonians Cameroon Tribune (CT) met yesterday January 4, 2015 said they have vowed to quit alcohol and tobacco, something they do in hiding. Although Rostand R, a smoker in Yaounde says the start of the New Year is an added motivation to finally stop drinking, he is not equipped to ensure such a drastic lifestyle. Just like others, Rostand is reluctant to discuss his drinking problems, even with a health care professional because of some common misconceptions about alcoholism being a moral weakness.

However, he hopes to gradually reduce or learn to moderate his drinking habit. Others have promised to stamp out smoking habit. This is a resolution many admit to have taken on several occasions to no avail. Although Ferdinand and many others have tried to quit before and failed, they do not seem to have surrendered their efforts to stop smoking. As such, many smokers have vowed to stop smoking this year.  

George B. is one of the Cameroonians who have vowed to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year. Just like George, Terence K. has made several plans to meet up with friends for either house gathering or take the family to one of the popular leisure sites.  According to George, work should not always come first! Money seems to have been a big source of stress in the life of many people last year.  As such, many had to indebt themselves to make ends meet. In this light, many Cameroonians have resolved to spend this year getting to handle properly their finances while promising to repay their debts.

Meanwhile, most women have taken the resolution to lose weight through regular exercise as a means to get the shape they want. Just like Valarie, Carine says she will exercise more this year in a bid to remain healthy, look and feel better with her size. However, there are many who say they do not take any New Year resolutions because they do not see the need to take a resolution that they cannot keep.