New Year, New You - Seeing a real change with your resolutions
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With a new year upon us, the prospect of bettering ourselves through mental, physical, and spiritual change is tempting. But – and this is important – the resolutions we make can prove difficult to keep if they aren’t suitable to our environment, expectations, if they’re too broad, or are based on unrealistic goals set by the media. I know that I myself have fallen victim to the ‘I will eat cleaner, sleep better, workout more’ craze that doesn’t actually involve a specific plan and target. Of course, this results in a form of bitter disappointment when nothing changes, time and time again.
Research in the scientific journal PLoS One suggests that goals of a more action-orientated nature are more likely to result in success after twelve months than avoidance-orientated goals. Now, that seems promising for those willing to make the effort.
However, this piece is meant to inspire hope and not diminish the importance of having a way to calculate accomplishments and instil pleasure. We need something to push us and give us a sense of control during our hectic lives. These days, resolutions are a given; they’re created not always with an aim, but randomly, as one year moves into the next. This is natural, and healthy of us to seek betterment. But there are always updated tips and tricks, available online and in self-help books to set you up. Sometimes it can get a little overwhelming; so let’s look at three things you should be doing when creating New Year's resolutions, and what to avoid.
What to do
#1 Be SMART
In non-acronym terms: make sure you’re setting a goal that is specific, measurement, achievable, realistic, and timely. Ticking all these boxes means you’ve thought it through, with there being a point in which to compare your progress. Whether that be after a few weeks, months or even just several days
For example, Emily (she/they) has graciously provided their resolution, one that is very fitting for a university student with a taste for knowledge. As an avid book reader who has lacked in the past year, Emily would like to “read at least 6 books in [her] free time within the first 10 months of 2024”. She’ll do this by keeping track of the books she reads and their corresponding reviews within a journal, stating that it will be a good downtime activity instead of relying on social media for constant entertainment. Emily hopes it may even help with her studying habits.
#2 Make sure it flows
You don’t want to be setting a goal that will cause damage to your work, study, or social life. Your goal needs to be aligned with intention and value, rather than taking over your entire world. Instead it should aid in making life easier, even if it puts you out of your comfort zone initially.
Anonymous (he/him) revealed that he wants to plan and reflect by adding one thing to his planner per week and reflecting on how it went, no matter how small. This is because “the easiest way to ditch plans is to make too much, too soon. So bring it along slowly.” It’s a resolution that flows well into his daily routine, led by intention of reflection and wanting to improve.
#3 Be able to compromise and adjust
There’s no such thing as perfect. Whether it be due to internal or external variables, what we plan for and expect may shift without considerable warning. Being able to have a flexible New Year’s resolution will help in ensuring there’s a way to keep your head held high through the toughest of times.
K (she/her) has admitted that many of the resolutions she’s created in the past have all had common factors. They weren’t narrow or specific enough which can mean a higher probability of fall-through and making room for adjustments wasn’t considered. K provides the uni-themed example of showing up to lectures in person; she says that to stay on top of her workload and combat a lack of consistency, she’ll discipline herself into at least trying to make it onto campus and watch the recorded versions. “Kind of like taking baby steps by forcing [herself] onto campus and being in that environment would ‘trick’ [their] into taking another step closer to staying on track.” If things aren’t going her way, K will circle back to the root of the resolution and work her way up to the original goal.
What not to do
#1 Making a goal just because someone else is
This may work as initial inspiration, and it might even be a fun way to engage with your friends on a mutual topic. But you have to want to invest in yourself; otherwise it could become something you resent due to peer pressure and expectations. If you can’t pinpoint the reasoning for doing something yourself, it begs the question of why you’re even considering it in the first place. This is your journey that you’re going on; you have to really want it as an individual.
#2 Using the media as a main basis
The internet is a pretty cool place. It’s where we communicate and share, finding humour and accessibility through interlinking networks. However, there are corners of it which are incredibly unrealistic. Take the ‘75 Hard’ challenge that’s circulating. The idea is that it requires you to work out more, while cutting out alcohol, soft drinks, and cheat meals, sleeping a certain amount of hours each night, and reading certain book genres, all while keeping track of this yourself. It is arguably a difficult amount to keep up with, but due to aesthetics it comes off as ‘easy’ and ‘acceptable’ because so many influencers and content creators share their experiences in an upbeat manner. People who study and work, myself included, are searching for achievable goals. While ‘75 Hard’ might be interesting to consider, one should not expect their experiences to be exactly like how they see it online simply because of its popularity. Credibility counts.
In the end, a New Year’s resolution is a commitment. The best way to see it through is to tackle it strategically, and understand the reason why. Why this goal, why this moment, and what are you going to do to succeed? It is not a requirement to create resolutions, of course, but there is never a better time than now to look to improve. The beginning of this year, much like the beginning of every other, is an opportunity to go forward with your hopes and goals. Determination is key, and I believe you have the key to unlock an exciting year of opportunities and accomplishments.