Debunking New Year's Resolutions

With the end of 2023 behind us, it’s likely that we are all pondering the events, achievements, and letdowns of the past year.  It’s also possible that many of us are also planning for the year ahead. New Year’s resolutions can be a great way to set goals and plan our futures, but oftentimes we don’t follow through with them, or we simply give up after a short period of time.

Take working out as an example. Each January, many people aspire to better their personal health by purchasing a gym membership for the months to come. According to The Independent, “Google searches for gyms spike every year in January, and membership purchases and foot traffic soar”. It’s clear that these individuals are intending to improve their fitness habits. But, do these aspirations and motivations last the whole year? The unfortunate truth is that most people don’t follow through, as half of the membership holders of Planet Fitness never step foot inside the gym, or don’t so on a regular basis. 

Research from Ohio State University shows that a mere 9% of Americans actually complete their New Year’s resolutions. Evidence from the same study shows that “23% of people quit their resolution by the end of the first week, and 43% quit by the end of January.” Why do so many people not carry out their goals if they are meant to improve our lives? One reason is because we are more likely to follow through with a goal if it is made at a time of need than if it is made just as part of a tradition. For example, if a doctor tells us to work out more frequently to minimize health risks, we are more likely to utilize a gym membership than if we were to buy that same membership merely for tradition’s sake. If goals are set simply because New Year’s resolutions are normalized, then the motivation is usually not enough to see our goals through to the new year. Another reason why New Year’s resolutions are often not completed is because goals are often big or life-changing, and many people are intimidated by this nature. For this reason, goals can be avoided or pushed to the side.

So, how can we make New Year’s resolutions more approachable? The first step is to not set goals purely because we feel like we need to have a “new year new me” mentality. Goal-making should be about personal needs and challenging ourselves to be our best versions. This means that new year goals should only really be made if they are necessary, that way the motivation is actually there. Once we’ve made these goals, splitting them up into smaller tasks can help to make them easier to accomplish. Maybe going to the gym every afternoon might be too jarring of a change for someone who has never consistently exercised. So, creating a workout schedule that eventually ramps up to that intensity may help. 

At the end of the day, New Year’s resolutions can provide for healthy life changes that actually make a worthwhile impact on a person’s lifestyle. With the right motivation and steps taken in preparation for carrying out the goal, these resolutions can be easier, more rewarding, and even more fun.