Now that’s a rather negative, maybe even unfriendly, thing to say. I guess the merriment and “good will toward men” of the holidays are over! Bah humbug! But I believe it.
Now, I know there are plenty of people who don’t make an official list of the New Year’s resolutions, either out loud or in their journal. Lose weight! Get a new job! Save money! Spend less time on my phone! Be a better person! Don’t get into so many bar fights! But the end of a year is a natural time to take stock of your life, to figure out what to do (or not do) in the coming year, isn’t it?
I mean, it’s the actual end of something. 2025 is turning into 2026, so even the year itself is making a resolution to change. It’s a new year, things are changing, so why wouldn’t you make plans – at the very least casual plans – to do something different and/or new?
So, why do some people insist that they don’t make resolutions? I think they want to prove they’re “above” making resolutions, because making a resolution reveals some sort of mental or moral weakness. They’re too hip, too-cool-for-school, and they think others should be impressed that they don’t make resolutions.
But at the end of the year, do you want to start saving more money? Do you plan on doing your taxes yourself this year instead of paying someone else to do it? Do you want to take a class? Is this the year you’re finally going to quit the job you hate? Did your doctor tell you to lose a few pounds, and you’ve already started eating better? In January, do you naturally find yourself organizing, cleaning more, throwing things out? THOSE ARE RESOLUTIONS! You’re just not calling them that.
In those quiet moments, when it’s just you and your thoughts, you’re thinking about the changes you can make, the new things you can do. And that’s okay! There’s no need to feel embarrassed!
Last week someone said to me that they promise themselves every single year that they aren’t going to make any resolutions. I didn’t have the heart to tell him what another name for that promise was.
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Comments
A New Year’s resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other. Here’s to another trip around the sun!
Resolutions are probably best if they aren’t overwhelming, or unrealistic to begin with.
Getting started may be the easiest or hardest part, but staying with it will get results. Making what you want to accomplish a habit is one way to see that it continues, and the positive outcomes will reinforce your efforts to continue.
And if you drop the ball on it, just restart, regardless of the month, day, or week.