Bridget Jones’s New Year Resolutions

There's gonna be some informal language today since I'd like you to take a look at one of the most famous New Year resolutions made by Bridget Jones herself. The resolutions come from the first chapter of Helen Fielding's "Bridget Jones's Diary". 

Although the book is not serious literature and is a far cry from artistic, sophisticated or elaborate works of art, it is definitely worth reading if only because of the lively, honest and extremely funny language employed there.

If you are looking for an easy-reading book to practice your English this is a must-have!

Take a look at Bridget's resolutions, read thoroughly and if necessary- look up the expressions in bold. Next time I'll post a vocabulary exercise, so that you can check if you have comprehended everything well.

resolutions - postanowienia

is a far cry from - różni się diametralnie od

sophisticated - wyrafinowany

elaborate - wyszukany; skomplikowany

a must-have - coś co musimy mieć

thoroughly - dokładnie

look up - sprawdź w słowniku

in bold -wytłuszczone (o czcionce)

comprehended - zrozumieliście

Bridget Jones’s New Year Resolutions

I WILL NOT

Drink more than fourteen alcohol units a week. 

Smoke.

Waste money on: pasta-makers, ice-cream machines or other culinary devices which will never use; books by unreadable literary authors to put impressively on shelves; exotic underwear, since pointless as have no boyfriend.

Behave sluttishly around the house, but instead imagine others are watching.

Spend more than earn. 

Allow in-tray rage out of control.

Fall for any of the following: alcoholics, workaholics, commitment phobics, people with girlfriends or wives, misogynists, megalomaniacs, chauvinists, emotional fuckwits or freeloaders, perverts.

Get annoyed with Mum, Una Alconbury or Perpetua.

Get upset over men, but instead be poised and cool ice-queen.

Have crushes on men, but instead form relationships based on mature assessment of character.

Bitch about anyone behind their backs, but be positive about everyone.

Obsess about Daniel Cleaver as pathetic to have a crush on boss in manner of Miss Moneypenny or similar.

Sulk about having no boyfriend, but develop inner poise and authority and sense of self as woman of substance, complete without boyfriend, as best way to obtain boyfriend.


I WILL

Stop smoking. Drink no more than fourteen alcohol units a week.

Reduce circumference of thighs by 3 inches1 (i.e. 11⁄2 inches each), using anti-cellulite diet.

Purge flat of all extraneous matter.

Give all clothes which have not worn for two years or more to homeless.

Improve career and find new job with potential.

Save up money in form of savings. Poss start pension also. -Be more confident.

Be more assertive. Make better use of time.

Not go out every night but stay in and read books and listen to classical music.

Give proportion of earnings to charity. Be kinder and help others more.

Eat more pulses. 

Get up straight away when wake up in mornings. 

Go to gym three times a week not merely to buy sandwich.

Put photographs in photograph albums.

Make up a compilation ‘mood’ tapes so can have tapes ready with all favourite romantic/dancing/rousing/feminist etc. tracks assembled instead of turning into drink-sodden DJ-style person with tapes scattered all over the floor.

Form functional relationship with responsible adult.

Learn to programme video.

A trailer of the motion picture:

and some selected scenes from the film :)