It’s that time of the year again! Snow is a-fallin’, bells are a-ringin’ and poppers are a poppin’– it’s the new year! Out of all the winter holidays, New Year’s arguably has the fewest traditions. However, there is one that people insist on: resolutions. Each year people around the world think of an aspect of their life they wish to change and create a resolution, or goal, that they strive to accomplish in the new year. Sometimes these goals are general: eat healthier, sleep more, spend more time with family and so on. Other times these resolutions are more concrete: get a new job, quit smoking or write five articles for the Fieldston News (hint, hint). These resolutions are good in theory, but the hardest part is remembering, let alone committing, to the new goals. While this may be a cynical perspective, it is unlikely that come next December 31 you will have become a track star after vowing at your cousin’s New Year’s party to run on the treadmill more.
AForbes poll found that only 6% of individuals stick with their resolutions for the full year. Personally, I do not remember what I promised I would accomplish last year at this time. I doubt this is a reflection of poor commitment skills. Rather, a natural forgetfulness occurs when the confetti is swept away and the plastic glasses with the year’s new number get tossed in the trash. Frankly, when looking at New Year’s resolutions, both simple and difficult, one can reference a cliche: “Easier said than done.”
New Year’s resolutions are an example of the “fresh start effect,” a phenomenon that ties landmark times to motivational surges. January 1 of the New Year is a definite landmark for people to set flimsy goals. This also occurs on the Monday of each new week. I find myself waiting until an even number to start studying: when I could simply begin at 8:23, I feel that I must wait until 8:30.
Of course, there are people who manage to commit to their resolutions and fantastically improve their lives during the course of the year. In order to stick to the resolutions, people resort to downloading apps, writing things down and tattooing them to their forearms (and if you receive this as a genuine tip, perhaps your resolution should be to go to therapy so you are no longer susceptible to a high school journalist’s jesting advice).
Do not take this as a criticism of self-improvement; that is not my intention. I hope that every one of you can pick an aspect of your life you want to change and create habits to better yourself. However, I think there is no reason to wait for January 1 to turn your life around. January 1 is an arbitrary date, anyway. Pick a day, any day, today, tomorrow, next Tuesday, March 16 – and make a decision to change, and a plan as to how you are going to do it.
