With most of us already either having broken, given up, or changed our minds about our 2018 New Year resolutions, new research from Jet2holidays, who now flies to 28 destinations direct from Belfast, suggests that instead of giving something up, the nation should be looking at how they can positively impact their lives by saying YES!
On average, those living in Northern Ireland say ‘yes’ 11 times a day, with people in Belfast saying yes 13 times a day, more than many any other cities in the UK.
This positivity makes Northern Ireland more likely to say yes than anywhere else in the UK, with the average person saying yes just nine times daily.
Despite this, nearly half (42 per cent) of those living in NI still don’t think they are spontaneous enough, with the top reasons for why they say no to things being too tired (40 per cent), not having enough money (30 per cent), or simply being too busy (28 per cent).
Two thirds (64 per cent) of NI residents wish they could say ‘yes’ to more holidays in 2018 with nearly half (47 per cent) admitting that if they could go on a spur of the moment holiday today, they would. On average, over two thirds (68 per cent) of those from NI are more likely to say ‘yes’ when on holiday compared to when they are at home, for instance three quarters (74 per cent) of residents state that they are much more likely to try new and exciting foods when away, and half would take part in an adventurous activity (48 per cent).
The research by the leading package holiday specialist shows that by not saying yes more, three quarters (77 per cent) of those in NI are being left with many ‘Yesgrets’ – a regret of not saying yes.
The top ‘Yesgrets’ include not accepting their dream job (17 per cent) or saying yes to a date (11 per cent).
In addition to this, rather than saying yes to things we love, nearly three quarters of those living in NI will say yes to their friends and families and a third will say yes to taking on more extra work just to avoid disappointing anyone.
Over a third of NI folk will also say yes to a partner when they don’t really want to, just to not let them down.
The research compiled by Jet2holidays has spurred the nation to turn ‘Yesgrets’ into Actions. Here is what people in NI are going to say yes to more in 2018:Booking a holiday
- Going on more nights out
- Eating out more
- Spending more time with friends
- Spending more quality time with children
- Changing routine and doing new things
Zoe Towers, Head of Product at Jet2holidays added: “This is the time of year when the nation decides what they want to change, and a number of people will decide to restrict themselves in some way rather then decide to be open to the possibility of saying yes. Our research demonstrates that although people in Northern Ireland say Yes more than most, many people still have ‘Yesgrets’ and Jet2holidays wants to encourage them to change this!
“January can be a struggle, so we want to encourage those who are unsure to just bite the bullet and say yes, whether that is a new hobby, that amazing holiday, or a night out with friends. 2018 can be the year where you visit a destination you’ve never been to before, say yes to treating yourself to a relaxing city break or take up a brand new hobby. Jet2holidays is passionate about providing customers with the best possible holiday from the moment you book to when you land back home, and we can’t wait to welcome customers in 2018.”
