THE New Year's Eve outfit lies in the corner of your room and the Christmas tree is shedding its needles at a rate of knots.
It's the start of a new year, a time when many of us want to wipe the slate clean and start again or break old bad habits.
It might be to get fit, stop smoking or to learn a new skill, but whatever it is, it doesn't happen by magic, you will have to put the effort in or your new year resolution will be broken by spring-time.
What will 2002 bring for you? Here are just a few changes that many of us try to make at the start of a new year.
I'm going to... sort out my family life
On the whole most of us enjoy the festive season, but for some families it will be a time to contact the local family lawyers. Depressing as it may seem, lawyers prepare for what they describe as the customary post-Christmas influx after some families find the festive season the last straw in their relationship.
Carolynn Tan, from Kidd Rapinet Solicitors in High Wycombe, says the new year sees a massive increase in enquiries about divorce. She says: "For many people, it seems, the time of enforced togetherness over Christmas, far from bringing couples together, actually drives them apart.
"It is then that solicitors, together with many of the voluntary organisations in the area, are called upon to help pick up the pieces."
Some law firms even open their doors during the festive period to help deal with urgent cases where spouses or children have been under threat of violence and need protection.
"Thankfully such cases are few and far between," explains Carolynn. "But they are sufficient in number to cause alarm. It is important that those at risk know help is at hand, whatever the day of the year."
Jane Craig, chairman of the Solicitors Family Law Association, says: "The festive period can be a time of great pressure for families, financially and emotionally. But people should not make rash decisions about their marriage while under that pressure."
I'm going to... give up smoking
More than four million smokers planned to quit this year. But despite best intentions, many will have lit up again by January 2, while others may find that as the weeks and months go by, their resolve goes up in a puff of smoke.
But don't get disheartened by all that bad news because there are products and support available.
Steve Crone, from the QUIT organisation, says: "Ultimately it is your decision to stop smoking and never start again, even if support from friends and family is helpful. There is no quick and easy method and nothing can make you stop.
"Determination is a vital ingredient. However if you really want to, there are many things at hand that can help to increase your chances of becoming an ex-smoker.
"One of the key aspects to successfully stopping smoking is to rid yourself of the reminders of smoking."
Councillors at the free Quitline 0800 00 22 00 can give you advice on products and therapies that are clinically proven to help you quit smoking.
Alternatively you can look a little closer to home for help. Doug Smith, from Buckinghamshire Health Authority, says: "Wherever you live there are people locally ready, willing and able to help you. Local support is on hand at many doctors' surgeries or if you prefer to go to a clinic then there is one at your local hospital or centre."
Check out the BHA's website on www.smokescape.org for more
I'm going to... learn a new skill
This is a new year's resolution that could really change your life or job.
National education charity, the Campaign for Learning, is encouraging everyone to make learning resolutions for 2002. More than 100 people, including celebrities, have pledged to fulfil a learning ambition in 2002.
Whether your dream is to start your own business, re-design the garden or sing in a choir, there is an avenue of learning.
The easiest way to do this is to contact your nearest college for a part-time prospectus.
I'm going to... get fit and lose weight
If people aren't queuing at the shop counters at the January sales, then they are clamouring to get into gyms and leisure centres. Joining a health club in the new year has become as traditional as eating turkey at Christmas lunch.
Sarah Pitt, head of marketing and communication at Physique Health and Fitness Studio at Amersham and Chalfont says: "This is our peak time of year, we do get a lot of people joining."
Last year the fitness studio saw a 50 per cent increase in the number of people using the gym in January. Then as the months click by the number of people going along gradually tails off.
"People come a couple of times and then drop out. It is our job to get people into a regular routine and to keep it fun and interesting.
"We devote time to everyone and make sure people get a tailor-made programme."
She explains that the reason why people drop out is because they don't know how to fit their keep-fit routine into their busy lifestyles.
"Finding the time is a big problem. And everyone has to find the exercise they like."
Paul Morris, owner of the Body Zone at Wycombe Sports Centre, agrees. On the first morning back to work after the holiday he had 12 new members joining his gym.
He says: "It lasts for a couple of months. Then they stop coming until the summer when they come back again to get trim for their summer holiday."
The trend towards keeping fit and working out in gyms has increased over the years.
The number of people joining health and fitness clubs has grown 145 per cent since 1996. And almost a quarter of the people living in the South of Britain are users of health and fitness clubs.
So how are you going to change your life in 2002?
