Members of the LACES community created many New Year’s resolutions for 2024, ranging from saving more money to going vegan. These resolutions may start as healthy changes, but often turn into impossible, demoralizing tasks.
When it is halfway through February, and you still have no idea how to knit, you will typically feel ashamed or guilty for your “failure.” So, for the rest of the year, all you can think about is how much of a failure you are because you’ve spent 5 dollars over your spending limit last month. This prevents you from stepping out of your comfort zone and possibly finding something you love. In the time it takes you to dwell and wallow in your failure, the chance to see something that makes you happy or satisfied passes you by.
According to research done by The Ohio State University, only 9% of New Year’s resolutions are completed which is due to a variety of factors. Most goals are not specific enough. Saying, “I want to eat healthier,” has too many solutions and paths and is such a complicated, loaded sentence. “I want to eat five different fruits/vegetables day” is much more measurable and specific, making it easier to navigate and achieve.
Additionally, many resolutions focus on what the person did not complete or did poorly the previous year. Saying, “I want to spend less time on my phone,” insinuates spending time on your phone is terrible and that you gave in to that vice last year. Resolutions focused on improving something positive seem much more attainable, as you have already started building that good habit or behavior.
Another standard resolution is wanting to model certain behaviors after someone else. For example, “I want to organize my house like Marie Kondo.” This is harmful because you aren’t Marie Kondo. Your lifestyle and personality differ from hers, so her methods will likely not work for your life. Comparing yourself to others in any way is not healthy. According to research by Syracuse University, comparing yourself to others “better off” than you can lead to feeling discouraged and depressed.
New Year’s resolutions are ingrained into American culture, but the most common resolutions do more harm than good.
To avoid falling into the common New Year’s resolution trap, creating a specific and attainable goal can help. The goal should be self-oriented and positive in nature, to avoid feelings of inferiority that could hinder achieving the goal. Remember, almost all New Year’s resolutions can be achieved if you stay consistent and confident.
