New Year's Resolutions

With the New Year passing by and 2025 beginning, people all around the world are starting to make their New Year’s Resolutions. Common resolutions can include: going to the gym, going on a new diet, trying to get better grades, trying out a new hobby, etc. Some are more popular than others, and some are easier to keep than others. But why is that? Why is it so hard to keep your New Year's Resolutions, and why do we even make them in the first place if they are so difficult to follow?

“Although fitness and weight loss remain popular for the new year, 36% of participants expressed a commitment to improving their mental health. In fact, 55% of participants acknowledged that mental health should be given equal significance as physical well-being in their resolutions for the coming year” (The Psychology Behind New Year's Resolutions by PAR). The New Year is a great time to try new things and make commitments to better yourself. It’s the perfect fresh start, but it’s not as easy as it seems.

“Where we go wrong with New Year's resolutions is there's this idea that it's supposed to be some big, sweeping change because that sounds kind of sexy. [But] as humans we’re not wired to make big, sweeping changes,” said Terri Bly, Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Trying to make some huge and arbitrary goal, like “eat healthy” or “lose weight” is just as unhelpful as making no goal at all. A good New Year’s Resolution is specific, with clear and well-thought-out goals that are simple to follow. For example, instead of saying, “I want to read more” you could say, “I want to read 100 books by the end of the year.” Even a small change like that, setting a specific goal, can change the way you think about your resolution. Instead of a difficult, unattainable goal, it’s now something within reach. Another strategy is using the if-then idea. If I order a burger, I’ll get a salad with it. Following this format allows you to trick the impulsive and defiant part of your brain that doesn’t want to make new habits. 

Don’t give yourself false hope. Set attainable and realistic goals. Don’t get too extravagant. Do something that is helpful and will improve your day-to-day life.

Now, you might be saying, “I know how to make smart New Year’s Resolutions, but I haven’t picked any yet!” Here are some ideas!

1. Learn to sew and make yourself an article of clothing.

2. Try a ten-minute meditation.

3. Learn to cook a new dish for yourself.

4. Try a new food or drink.

5. Play a memory game at least once a week to boost your memory skills.

6. Try to study for ten minutes every day.

7. Ask a friend for a new music artist to listen to.

8. Compliment at least one person every day.

9. Try out for a fun sport.

10. Make a goal to save 100 dollars by the end of the month