By Julia Allegro
Stepping into the new year can sometimes be intimidating. A fresh canvas ahead that can be a work of art, or perhaps a scrapped project. Both outcomes hold lessons needed to create a masterpiece. Commonly, many individuals follow a generational tradition of creating “New Year’s Resolutions''. I remember making one as young as the age of six in school. They usually consist of one general statement or goal that you would like to achieve by the end of the year. For example, a New Year’s resolution could be “I am going to go to the gym at least five times a week”. As much as I am an advocate for goal setting and chasing big dreams, sometimes these resolutions may be setting you up for failure rather than achievement. December is a crazy month with the tizzy of the holidays and then we jump into New Year’s and exams for us high school students. Our bodies and minds are already tired as we gear up for a new year, and adding a sudden change in schedule or lifestyle may hinder you more than help.
There is a magic that comes with a new year that makes us think we can achieve everything. But, also the superstition that if we make a mistake, it sets the tone for the rest of the year. Thus, oftentimes people become overwhelmed by their resolution and quit or forget about it. According to a Time psychology article written by certified university professors, “80% of people fail to keep their New Year’s resolutions by February'' (how-to-keep-new-years-resolutions-2). This does not come as a surprise as many of us can pledge victims to it ourselves. The good news is that we can learn from our mistakes.
Instead of setting a New Year’s resolution, why don't you set a New Year’s plan? Something simple you can follow to maintain and achieve your goal. Using my previous example, the statement “I am going to go to the gym at least five times a week” may sound imposing. Especially if at the end of December you were only going to the gym once or twice a week. Instead of expecting yourself to double your work days, make a plan on how you can gradually achieve this. It may sound like, “by the end of January, I want to be going to the gym three or four times a week, then by the end of February perhaps aiming for five or six times”. Once you get a rhythm going and have a planned schedule to go to the gym multiple times a week, you will see your self-growth naturally. Growth takes time, which is what you are giving yourself by making a plan.
Therefore, it is amazing to set goals for yourself and have big dreams, but unrealistic to think you can achieve them all in the first week of January. It is important to remember that growth is often uncomfortable and takes time, allow yourself to experience that. New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be a spectacular goal that must be achieved right away, they can be plans and building blocks for success. I hope everyone takes a step forward to becoming their best selves this year. Happy New Year, Jags!
Comments