Okay, hands up if you totally forgot to make a New Yearâs Resolution. Because I did, and, to be honest, there’s guilt to not making a New Yearâs Resolution. Everyone around you is talking about the ânew year, new meâ mindset, or how theyâre already so successful in accomplishing their goal. But thereâs also guilt in eventually falling out of that goal. For example, in 2019, my goal was to go to the gym more. Then, uh-oh! Global pandemic! The gym shut down and suddenly there was no way for me to resolve that pesky resolution.
Even smaller changes occur on the regular that keep us from accomplishing our resolutions. *cough cough* Midterms *cough cough* or even a different class schedule. I had all the time in the world during my fall quarter, and now suddenly my free time has been zapped by classes and homework. Once the winter quarter started, and I realized I totally spaced on making a resolution, I felt like no matter what I said, I wouldnât have time for it. So why make one?
An article from Forbes states: âMany people will make New Yearâs resolutions, however, the majority will also fail to achieve them. But making resolutions is still a good ideaâwith plenty of positive effects.â Dr. Tracy Brower goes on to list four key benefits to creating a resolution, one being intention, then hope and engagement, followed by responsibility, and finally, inspiration. I donât know about you, but those all sound pretty positive. Dr. Bower sees that making âNew Yearâs resolutions is inherently hopeful and optimistic.â We could all use a little more of that, right? And you may even âinspire those around youâ by focusing on your own âfuture and⊠improvement.â Who doesnât love self-improvement? Thatâs the whole point of a New Yearâs Resolution! So, should I make a resolution and start now?
An article from Everyday Health disputes, â⊠only 46 percent of resolvers reported success at sticking to their resolutions six months after the new year.â But why? ââThe problem is that we often set unrealistic goals,â explains Seth Gillihan, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist⊠âWe try to make a really big change and we try to do it all at once.ââ Creating positive change in your life is still possible. The recommendation by psychologists Dr. Camilla Nonterah and Dr. Seth Gillihan â[to] boost your chances for success in adopting healthier habitsâ is to âchoose small steps rather than grand leaps and gestures, and be strategic with each of those steps along the way.â
Itâs never too late to make a New Yearâs Resolution. In fact, I still havenât made one! But itâs also never too late to change that resolution. To let it adapt to you. Or to completely disregard it and start over! Or to just⊠not make one. Donât let the guilt from not making a resolution, or making one and not following through with it, keep you from constantly striving to be your best self. New year, new you. New month, new you. New day, new you.