Ever since the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Day, many have been sharing their resolutions, some of which are eating healthier, getting more sleep, and journaling every day. Oftentimes, they stick to their plan for a few days, or even a few weeks. Inevitably, February rolls around, and most resolutions are forgotten. By March, even fewer are still going, and it is practically a miracle if someone manages to uphold their resolutions through December.
Failed resolutions are common, but why? Tessa Moon (10) weighs in on a possible reason: “If someone is not motivated, easily gives up, or the resolution is very difficult and a big jump, [it] is likely to be useless.
So why even bother? Why make a New Year’s resolution if it’s only going to be broken in a few weeks? Maya McCamant (12) thinks that “resolutions are effective as long as the person is consistently putting effort into them and not forgetting.” This means that it is important to set a realistic and thoughtful resolution to make the most of it. Alissa Phillips (12) offers another perspective, believing, “we shouldn’t wait for the New Year to make a change.” She implies that self-improvement should be a constant, ongoing process, not just in January.
If McCamant shared a viable strategy to keep a resolution, what resolutions should one create? Reflecting on the past year’s highs and lows can be a good place to start. Moon, a high-level ballet dancer, says that she “improved a lot in dance and allowed [herself] to make mistakes,” which was why her resolution involved “train[ing] harder in dance by working out and stretching more intensely and often.” Here, her resolution will build on the momentum she built in 2025 in the new year. This is a great resolution idea for athletes or anyone looking to improve their physical shape.
Not only can resolutions be an impetus for continuing work that has been done, but they can also be used to improve areas where one struggles. Phillips, for example, experienced problems with “motivation, communication, and consistency.” In the new year, she hopes to “respond to messages in a more timely manner and keep better track of tasks to avoid procrastination and working at the last minute.” This is a common resolution, but many struggle to maintain their momentum and attend to tasks throughout the year. With this kind of abstract goal, it is essential to section it into smaller, more manageable, and concrete pieces. Ensuring accountability is essential to the success of your resolutions.
Other great ideas for resolutions involve personal health and becoming a better person by helping others. McCamant’s resolutions, to “drink more water and volunteer more,” are excellent examples of such goals that are not too difficult to accomplish.
If you do choose to make a New Year’s resolution this year, be sure to make it realistic and concrete to give yourself the best chance at successfully achieving it. Hopefully these examples will help to inspire your own resolutions. Best of luck, and happy new year!
