Not everyone may participate in creating New Year’s resolutions. Still, each new year represents a fresh beginning: a new job, home, relationship, baby, opportunity, challenge or circumstance.
New Year’s Day highlights millions of people around the world who vow to kick bad habits to the curb in an effort to better themselves.
The tradition of New Year’s resolutions dates back to 153 B.C., making it the oldest holiday. Back then, people marked the beginning of a new year by paying off debts and returning borrowed goods. It was considered good conduct to Janus, the god of beginnings and endings, and guardian of doors and entrances.
Since 2007, studies show that top resolutions include weight loss, falling in love, being happy and quitting bad habits. My typical resolutions include losing at least 10 pounds, getting married before I’m 30 (29, 28, 27) and making more money.
This year, the resolutions I’ve decided to focus on are the more meaningful ones: loving myself despite my faults, forgiving others for theirs, and spending more time with family and friends.
I know that in order to achieve success in these areas, they must be rooted in significance.
In 1997, a University of Washington study found that 47 percent of the 100 million adult Americans who make resolutions give up on their goals after two months. In the last decade, this percentage has grown to 80.
For me, failing to fulfill past resolutions tells me one thing: I need to be held accountable for the things I say I want to accomplish. This increases my responsibility and support from people I know who care about me.
For example, I tell my boyfriend I want to make more of a consistent effort to go to the gym. He looks at me with a face that says yeah right, that’s trouble. So I ask my friends too. The more people who know your intentions, the better.
I ask my dad to remind me to make more of an effort to stick to my budget. He reminds me. My dad is the budget king.
I tell my therapist I want to learn to love myself on a more consistent basis and ask how I continue this process. She asks me questions pertaining to my childhood and gives me relevant reading material.
If we are dedicated to changing, our desires will manifest in our lives. Focus on the present. We accomplish nothing by feeling regret for past actions, nor can we affect something that has not yet occurred.
Be intentional in what you want to achieve and be honest with yourself. We have to want to change before we can make a change. Good luck, and a happy new year to you!
