Kerre McIvor: Live your life - or change it

When it comes to New Year's resolutions, I've seldom made them and I'm not making any this year. Photo / Getty Images

Looking at some of my friends' posts on Facebook, it seems they couldn't wait to see the end of 2015.

It's obvious they've had a few challenges. And if you're feeling much the same way, I hope 2016 is a better year for you, as well.

As for me, 2015 was great. I always intended to have an utterly splendid year of being 50, but I never imagined how wonderful it would be.

Such a milestone birthday deserved more than a one-day celebration - especially when you never imagined you'd reach such an august age.

When you're 20, 50 seems an eternity away. And then, all of a sudden, if you're lucky enough, you're there, more than halfway through your life. Just making it this far, when there are so many people who don't, is worth celebrating.

So there were parties and lunches and dinners. There were magical trips away with friends and family to some of the most extraordinary places in the world.

I trained properly for my sixth marathon and as a result of actually doing the training runs, I ended up thoroughly enjoying the Queenstown Marathon.

I got fit and strong. I also got to buy new dresses in much smaller sizes this year, but that's by the by. I'd rather be strong than skinny.

The Irishman and I found our dream home in Hokianga - the place where we know we want to spend the rest of our lives. I spent time helping my favourite charities and in doing so, got to spend time with some extraordinary people.

And although I ended my night-time show on ZB, I begin a new afternoon show with a talented young co-host in a week or so.

(That's a miracle in itself. When you work in the media, you realise men and women age differently. Male hosts and presenters age chronologically - when they're 40, they're 40. Women hosts and presenters age in time and a half - when they're 40, they're really 60 and obviously unemployable).

Savour the good times and endure the bad, and hold on for dear life.

So I have so much to be grateful for, and indeed, I am. I'm old enough to know that not all years are full of joy and wonder. Some years I've wondered how I'm going to make it to the end. So you savour the good times and endure the bad, and hold on for dear life.

When it comes to New Year's resolutions, I've seldom made them and I'm not making any this year. Now that I'm 51, I know what I have to do and it's not a January 1 decision - it's an everyday decision.

I choose to spend any disposable income on experiences and charities rather than things and stuff. I choose to blow out for a couple of months with food and drink then cut it right back for the next few months.

I've already signed up for a Maori language course now I have my nights free so I don't need to make a resolution to do that.

I've started work on another book and I had already decided to train for another marathon this year.

You don't know how many tomorrows you have left so I don't leave resolutions to the start of another year. I choose to love my life or change it.

I wish you all the very best for 2016. May it be a happy and healthy year ahead.