Every December, my social media feeds flood with videos and posts captioned, “My Resolutions For…”, “How To Get Fit This Winter”, “Healthy Eating Habits for The New Year”, and “New Habits I’m Trying to Bring Into The New Year,” to name a few. I inevitably end up compiling a list of nearly impossible tasks that are supposed to magically make me the best version of myself. Reality check: by January 7th, these habits are out the window. I’m lucky if ONE sticks. Why do we, as a society, feel the need to make resolutions? Where did these ideas come from, and how long have they existed?

After a bit of research, I’ve found a quite interesting history regarding New Year’s resolutions. It all began with the Babylonians over 4,000 years ago. During a 12-day celebration called “Atiku,” they would make promises to their gods, mainly regarding debts and returning borrowed items. Ancient Romans also made yearly promises to their god of new beginnings and transitions, “Janus” (Fun fact: January is named after him!). They promised to be better people and behave morally, tying ideas of self-improvement to New Year’s.

Spiritually, the New Year became a time of reflection and spiritual improvement for Medieval Christians. Some denominations also renewed their covenants during this time. Eventually, through the Age of Enlightenment into the 19th century, ideas of self-improvement and health developed as a main focus of New Year’s. Today, people see this time of year as a fresh start, which is really a beautiful metaphor in nature, with all of the snow creating a fresh layer of white to sort of purify the world.

In retrospect, my title is sort of misleading. I don’t hate New Year’s resolutions at all. In fact, I think they do improve a lot of people’s lives, even if only for a short period of time. However, I urge everyone that you don’t have to wait until the end of the year to start healthy habits or be a better person. In fact, you don’t even have to wait until the start of a new month, week, or day. Incorporating healthy habits into your life as soon as possible will be so fulfilling, no matter the time, and it’s always a good idea to take care of yourself. If you implement small changes, one at a time, into your life, months down the line you will be a more successful person in all aspects of life. If you were to take anything from this article, don’t wait until January first to begin bettering yourself. Time isn’t slowing down, and now is a time better than ever to start.

Introduction

As the clock strikes midnight, along comes a new year followed by brand-new questions and more answers for Liv to find. Welcome back to the “Liv Talk: New Year, New Liv” edition. I hope everyone had a wonderful winter break and is ready to jump into this new year. Get comfortable, because I have many more questions and critiques on everyone's 2026 plans.

Question 1: What is your favorite 2025 memory?

Starring: Sophia Myers and Cordelia Kerr

2025 was a memorable year for a lot of people. I personally had many highs and lows in 2025. Some memories, however, stand out from the rest. Sophia Myers is a junior at Hubbard High School. When asked her favorite 2025 memory, she responds, “My favorite memory from 2025 was when my friends and I went to Canes, and one friend went up to a random group of people and started chugging a gallon of lemonade.” Carefree moments with your friends are always the most exciting. Living in the moment is something I strongly believe in. There is no need to worry about other’s opinions. After all, you only live once.

Cordelia Kerr, a sophomore, shares her favorite memory, which took place in New York. She explains she was on the trip with her friends over the summer. They were on a subway train when some really old guy started hitting on her friend’s mother. The dude had said, “...you’re so fine you could make the devil go to church.” He then continues to sing “Stand by Me” before immediately leaving the train. This is a memory Cordelia will remember for a lifetime. She even says, “I think about it a lot,” showing the great joy through a strange interaction she had received. Cordelia had many funny, enjoyable moments in 2025 and is excited to see what 2026 has to offer. 

Question 2: What is something you hope to leave in 2025?

Starring: Sydney Siwerkia, Mrs. Marian, Maddie Fox, and Samantha Heywood

When asked this question, Sydney Siwerkia had responded “67.” The popular number used by many immature high school students (yes, people like myself) has been overused the entirety of the school year. Math teachers FEAR the answer 67. They will do anything to avoid giving us a problem with that solution. Mrs. Marian, a math teacher at Hubbard, strongly agreed with Sydney Siwerkia. I have Mrs. Marian second period, and every day she has to tell Ralph Lucarielli (a junior) to grow up and move on from 67. However, he will not stop. It is constant, and I genuinely think it is starting to take over him. Every time he hears that number, he physically twitches and looks around at others. Everyone say their prayers for Ralph. Hopefully he will get over this illness quickly.

Samantha Heywood is a junior at Hubbard. She had seen this question and instantly had an answer. She wants to leave behind the horrifying keychains, also known as Labubu’s. Samantha later goes on to explain their scary, demonic looks. They scare and haunt this poor girl. Madelyn Fox, another junior, did not enjoy Samantha’s answer. When confronted with Samantha’s “evil” answer, Madelyn argues, “This is unfair. They’re cute little monsters that deserve love and justice.” She now despises Samantha Heywood and plans on getting her personal labubu to call her out. I personally agree with Samantha, but I am too scared for Madelyn to find out. Hopefully, she does not see this.

Question 3: What is your 2026 New Year’s resolution?

Starring: Johnathan Schiraldi, Mitchell Fink, and Ralph Lucarielli

A new year brings new uncertainty and hope. A lot of people love to fulfill their goals, also known as resolutions, throughout the year. Ralph Lucarielli, a well-known junior at Hubbard, was asked, “What is your 2026 New Year resolution?” in math class. When asked, he quietly states, “Honestly, to pass this class.” This was a good answer, but I know some ways Ralph could achieve his goal. For example, he could listen to Mrs. Marian and leave “67” in 2025. Hearing that number is the only time he listens. Maybe he should put that attention on his math homework.

Johnathan Schiraldi is a senior at Hubbard. I asked John this question, and he replied in a very unexpected way. John confidently shares his resolution. “Be a Fortnite skin,” answers John. Although this sentence was only four words, it was powerful and abrasive. John hopes to have his own skin that features his commonly known burger shoes at the end of 2026. Everyone save your V-bucks for the big moment when John gets to shine.

Lastly, for this question, Mitchell Fink, a sophomore, gave a very reasonable answer. Mitchell explains, “My New Year’s resolution is to get in the gym more because I’m fat, and if I get ripped, I’ll get all the girls.” Mitchell Fink plans to get busy in the gym to impress all the ladies. All single women of 2026, look out. The Finkster is coming your way.

Liv’s Final Thoughts

2025 was out of the ordinary. This year was packed with many highs, lows, lessons, and memories that’ll last a lifetime. This year, I was able to grow my voice into these lighthearted articles. Looking ahead, I am enthusiastic about the future of "Liv Talk” in 2026. Happy New Year, Thank you for reading and we’ll meet again next issue.

Bonus Laughs of Liv

Why does nobody listen on New Year’s Eve?

Because it goes in one year and out the other.

Who’s your favorite musician? It’s a tough question for many people. I was raised by country fanatics, but they are also big fans of music from their generation - everything from Motown to alternative and everything in between. As I got older, I developed a full-on retro taste that spans the 1950s to the ‘80s. I’ve also learned not to be ashamed of who I enjoy listening to, and neither should you. Music is a huge part of the daily lives of millions, and it has a variety of positive impacts on our lives.

Due to my love of music, I feel that I have a better connection with other people. Why? Because music is a universal language. It’s something that spans across races, cultures, ethnicities, nationalities, and religions. Hymns can help people in houses of worship feel more connected to one another, and national anthems at sporting events can unite a crowd. However, while that is wonderful, what I’m speaking about is music you’d listen to on a day-to-day basis, like your favorite Spotify playlist. And though everyone has different tastes and musical traditions, it’s something that most people find enjoyable to talk about with others, no matter what. I’m not really a talker, but if someone mentions a band or artist I like, I find the words come easily, and I enjoy the conversation. 

Moreover, music has a variety of positive impacts on people. Countless studies have shown that listening to music can improve mood, reduce stress, depression and anxiety, and decrease fatigue. According to Healthline, "Neurological researchers have found that listening to music triggers the release of several neurochemicals that play a role in brain function and mental health.” These chemicals include dopamine, a hormone associated with pleasure that is released when someone does something they enjoy, and oxytocin, which increases our feeling of connection with others. Music has also been shown to combat hormones like cortisol, the prime inducer of stress. Generally, listening to your go-to playlist is likely to boost your mood a little, even on an awful day. People often say their most common use of music is to help them regulate and process their emotions. For me, I’d have to agree. 

Music also has a positive impact on physical and mental health. My friends and family who consistently work out tell me they’re much more motivated and energized when they're listening to their favorite invigorating songs. For most people, including myself, music triggers the desire to move - and studies show that dancing has the same positive health effects as music does! It can build muscle in your heart and positively increase energy. Research at Shanghai University in China concluded that listening to music helped people reduce fatigue and maintain muscle endurance as they did repetitive tasks. 

One of my favorite things about music is its ability to span generations and connect people. Who doesn’t know the iconic stomp-stomp-clap of “We Will Rock You” that can unite a stadium? Who can’t sing along to “Thriller,” especially during October? Sure, there will always be arguments, the adults who say today’s music is a far cry from what they listen to, the teens and kids who laugh at “old-people music.” Arguments about who deserves the crowns of genres and what artists reign supreme. But music doesn’t divide us at all - it unites us in a way we may never understand, helps us feel - and perhaps become - better. It’s one of those few things we can argue about in a friendly way, something that doesn’t tear us apart like politics and religion might. It’s something that ignites human passion in a positive way, and for that, I’ll always treasure it.

For me, music has had the impact of getting me out of my comfort zone a little (or at least to the drama club) and has inspired me to share the beauty of performance, song, and joy that countless artists have shared with the world. Every few months, I binge-listen to an artist I’ve discovered and (almost) never hesitate to belt out songs at the top of my lungs. I know people inspired by music who write lyrics, produce their own audio, and play instruments (shout-out to the band for getting me very into Queen!) And I hope, during this new year, you can see how music positively impacts your life. So put on your headphones and see where music takes you!

Is it just me, or is January the longest month ever? Why is January so slow for no apparent reason? I didn’t ask for my school day to be 10 times longer. Usually, Midterms are in the beginning of January, but not this year, which is nice, but now I'm bored. I mean, there isn’t anything to study for.

I don't know about you guys, but winter is always a bore. Some people do have winter sports, but it's snowing outside. What do the rest of us do? Now, watching movies or shows on your couch is an option, but don’t forget about the homework you have to do. There’s also something called reading a book, but not many people actually read books anymore. So what entertainment is there in January anyway? Absolutely Nothing.

I’ve always wanted to go on late-night drives with my friends. January would seem like a perfect time because there’s nothing to do, but it’s snowing, and I don’t have a license. If only there were a Holiday in January. Then we would have something to do because, honestly, January is just there.

A commonly asked query that many people find themselves grappling with is, “If aliens were real, what type of bug would be their favorite?” This seems like a rather simple question at first, but the more you think about it, the more you will come to realize that this is a complex, erudite question that requires some deep philosophical thinking. There are over one million discovered species of insects on the planet, but scientists have gauged that there could be anywhere from two million to ten million undiscovered species. With this many bugs on the chopping block, the question grows increasingly difficult to answer.

Some people might suggest that the little flying fellows that eat waste would be an alien’s favorite, but I don’t think that would be the case. Think about it—we don’t know much about the aliens, we don’t know their sentiments on feces—so the answer would have to be something more simple; not a dung beetle. Maybe butterflies?

I personally think an alien’s favorite insect would be the maggot larvae that reside in the ever so delightful Casu Marzu! This ambrosial cheese is meticulously developed through a process that involves three steps; the steps being infestation, hatching, and fermentation. To craft the cheese, you must start out with a wheel of pecorino cheese and a few prestigious cheese flies. Allow the flies to infest the cheese and lay their eggs inside of it! After the eggs hatch inside, the larvae will slowly erode at the inside of the cheese. As they leave their droppings throughout the cheese, they release enzymes that ferment the cheese, giving it a rich, delectable texture.

I like to think that the aliens would resonate with the larvae inside of Casu Marzu because they see a reflection of themselves in the bugs. Maybe the aliens would see the cheese as the earth and themselves as the bugs! As the aliens plan their invasion inspired by the cheese maggots, they would imagine themselves digging through the earth and greeting all of the worms. They would team up with their newly found worm friends and create tunnels throughout the earth's crust. Then, they would mix up some sun dried tomatoes and garlic to make the sauce. They could toss in a little onion powder and even throw in a few bay leaves if they were feeling frisky. They would then travel to Sardinia to find the succulent Casu Marzu and shred it up to top off the pizza they have made out of the earth.

Each quarter of the school year has its own benefits. For example, the first nine weeks are filled with excitement of the new school year, football games, and homecoming. The second quarter holds all the holiday festivities and breaks. The fourth nine weeks are all about the anticipation of the school year being over and being “this close” to summer. But the third nine weeks of the school year does not provide the same thrill that the three other quarters do, which may provide a struggle for the student to stay motivated.

After the second quarter, which is filled with, in total, 3 long weeks of holiday breaks, the third quarter feels like an eternity to students, given there are no breaks in the nine weeks for students. Many students count the weeks in between breaks; for reference, there are three weeks of school between Thanksgiving and Christmas break. But after Christmas break, which ends in January, the next vacation is spring break in April. I asked freshman Gianna Fox what she thought about the matter, “The third quarter is depressing because nothing really interesting happens, and we all just want the year to be done.” Many other students at Hubbard could agree with Gianna’s standpoint on the quarter.

Many students experience the “third quarter slump,” which is ultimately a decrease in motivation and an increase in stress levels. Especially after midterms, many students are just so exhausted with the giant masses of studying they had to cram for these tests, they lose the motivation to prepare for their average tests they have every week in their classes. I asked junior Claire Murphy her opinion, “In past years, I have seen that I underperform in the third quarter compared to the first semester and fourth quarter. I think it's because I don’t want to be in school after Christmas break.” A lot of students like Claire have these feelings towards the third quarter, which is that after Christmas break they lose the motivation to keep up with their everyday school habits. Although this drive, there is still a new curriculum that is being taught to them whether they are ready for it or not.

Sadly, the “Third quarter Slump” is not something the students of Hubbard can run from, but they can anticipate the loss of motivation, given they have probably seen this problem in school years of the past. As shown from Gianna and Claire, many students in Hubbard feel the same, as the third quarter is where the stress for the second semester sprouts and eventually follows the students till the end of the year. Although the students do not have a holiday vacation in the near future, they still have their two-day weekend “vacations” and maybe some random snow days they can look forward to.