It’s time to reframe the idea of new year’s resolutions

With the New Year encroaching, millions around the world set off to better themselves using one set of ideology: New Year's resolutions. These resolutions can entail many self-set goals, from exercising more to spending less time on social media. While seemingly a good motivator, these resolutions work counterproductively, with many people abandoning their goal, and having fallacious reasoning to wait until the New Year to start improving themselves. 

New Year's Resolutions can be traced back to 2000 B.C., where the Babylonian would make promises to repay their debts and return farm equipment through the means of a 12 day celebration called Akitu, which is a vernal equinox. In 46 B.C., the ancient Romans, who declared the first of January is the commencement of the New Year, would offer sacrifices and make promises to the Roman god of beginnings and ends, Janus. Since then, millions have started out each year with promises to themselves that they end up not being able to complete. But why is this?

One of the most important reasons as to why New Year's resolutions are impractical is because often, goals can be unrealistic. New Year's resolutions should be attainable and things that you can gradually build towards. By saying that you will get more sleep, but if you procrastinate your work and don’t bother allocating time to rest, your goal will dissipate. One student, Sawyer Badt (’25) explains how New Year's resolutions work counterintuitively. 

“I think it made me a little unmotivated, like I have definitely set some unrealistic goals that I just was thinking if I put in a lot of effort I can reach these goals. When I didn’t, it made me unmotivated and I didn't want to continue to do them, it was a little sad,” Badt said. 

It is critical to know that improvement isn’t a linear process. In everyday life, there are obstacles. When you add the pressure of succeeding at a goal, you are bound for failure. If you forget to exercise, or don’t get all your work done, it is okay. Making a mishap isn’t worth losing the overall goal. Malin Bird (’24) speaks on how while good in theory, New Year's resolutions are nonviable for most. 

“I think New Year's resolutions are great ideas, however it is very rare that people follow through with them. I think it is very hopeful and wishful thinking.” Bird said. 

This is not to say that you shouldn’t create goals for yourself. The New Years can be an ideal time for many to set intentions on things that they have wanted to accomplish. It is vital to go into goals with realistic expectations, expecting obstacles, and being willing to maintain accountability. 

There is no point in waiting to achieve your goals. If you have a New Year's Resolution in mind months ahead of January 1, start it as soon as you can. There is no real difference to wait, even if you feel it will provide you with a clean slate. It can even act negatively to wait, as it will further expectations of success, and can throw off your New Year if you aren’t able to achieve your objective. It is a good practice to start working on yourself as soon as possible, as it allows you to see if your goals are actually attainable going into the New Year. 

“If you have an idea before the new year and it is not something you just think about in the moment and it is something that you are actually working towards, I think it is a great thing to finally just motivate you to start. It is an excuse to get something off the ground,” Bird said.

Art by Audrey Strauss