New Year, New Me
By Sydney Hoffman on January 31, 2018
New Year’s resolutions are a tradition repeated each year to try and change an undesired trait or behavior to accomplish a personal goal or otherwise improve their lives.
The most popular New Year’s resolutions include getting in shape, losing weight, enjoying life to the fullest, spending less money and saving more of it, spending more time with family and friends, getting organized, learning something new, travel more, spending less time on smartphones, reducing stress, getting more sleep and flossing regularly.
“I set many New Year’s resolutions this year. I want to keep my room tidy and organized, stay away from gossip, not judge someone without knowing their situation and not get frustrated as easily,” junior Joslyn Schrank said.
It is always important to set goals for yourself, and this is the most common time of the year to do so; however, only eight percent of people actually keep their New Year’s resolutions, and eighty percent of people will have already failed by
February. So why do we set these goals if we are bound to fail, and how did this tradition start in the first place?
Around 4,000 years ago in Babylon, the earliest recorded celebration honoring the coming new year was held. Babylonians kicked things off in late March during the first new moon after the Spring Equinox. The ceremonies and festivities lasted eleven days that were dedicated to the rebirth of the sun god Marduk. The Babylonians made promises in order to get on the right side of all their gods, thinking that this would help them start the new year off on the right foot.
Romans continued this tradition with Julius Caesar declaring Jan. 1 as the first day of the year to honor the god of new beginnings, Janus. So, despite peoples’ failure with their New Year’s resolutions, this tradition has continued. Nonetheless, there are ways to alter your resolutions to make them easier to reach.
Many resolutions fail because they are not fit for the person that chooses it. It may be a resolution based on what or how someone else is telling that person to change. It could also be too vague or unrealistic. When picking a resolution, first make it meaningful to you personally. Maybe you want to lose weight, but is there a specific reason that you want to lose weight on a deeper level than just wanting to look better?
“My resolution is to increase my vertical for volleyball by six inches. Volleyball holds a special place in my heart, so I know that I will work to achieve my goal because of my passion,” junior Katelyn Kotas said.
Next, use the S.M.A.R.T. acronym when setting your goal for the year. It needs to be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. Once you have made your resolution, develop a plan to achieve it. For example, maybe you have a bad habit that you want to change. Find a positive way to fill the space in your life where that bad habit once was.
“My New Year’s resolutions are to drink more water and get to bed by 10 p.m. I wanted to make my goals more realistic and specific this year,” junior Darby Hurd said.
The last thing to remember is to not get down on yourself or give up if you don’t follow through with your resolution the first time. Don’t give up. You can make a goal at any time of the year.
The most popular New Year’s resolutions include getting in shape, losing weight, enjoying life to the fullest, spending less money and saving more of it, spending more time with family and friends, getting organized, learning something new, travel more, spending less time on smartphones, reducing stress, getting more sleep and flossing regularly.
“I set many New Year’s resolutions this year. I want to keep my room tidy and organized, stay away from gossip, not judge someone without knowing their situation and not get frustrated as easily,” junior Joslyn Schrank said.
It is always important to set goals for yourself, and this is the most common time of the year to do so; however, only eight percent of people actually keep their New Year’s resolutions, and eighty percent of people will have already failed by
February. So why do we set these goals if we are bound to fail, and how did this tradition start in the first place?
Around 4,000 years ago in Babylon, the earliest recorded celebration honoring the coming new year was held. Babylonians kicked things off in late March during the first new moon after the Spring Equinox. The ceremonies and festivities lasted eleven days that were dedicated to the rebirth of the sun god Marduk. The Babylonians made promises in order to get on the right side of all their gods, thinking that this would help them start the new year off on the right foot.
Romans continued this tradition with Julius Caesar declaring Jan. 1 as the first day of the year to honor the god of new beginnings, Janus. So, despite peoples’ failure with their New Year’s resolutions, this tradition has continued. Nonetheless, there are ways to alter your resolutions to make them easier to reach.
Many resolutions fail because they are not fit for the person that chooses it. It may be a resolution based on what or how someone else is telling that person to change. It could also be too vague or unrealistic. When picking a resolution, first make it meaningful to you personally. Maybe you want to lose weight, but is there a specific reason that you want to lose weight on a deeper level than just wanting to look better?
“My resolution is to increase my vertical for volleyball by six inches. Volleyball holds a special place in my heart, so I know that I will work to achieve my goal because of my passion,” junior Katelyn Kotas said.
Next, use the S.M.A.R.T. acronym when setting your goal for the year. It needs to be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. Once you have made your resolution, develop a plan to achieve it. For example, maybe you have a bad habit that you want to change. Find a positive way to fill the space in your life where that bad habit once was.
“My New Year’s resolutions are to drink more water and get to bed by 10 p.m. I wanted to make my goals more realistic and specific this year,” junior Darby Hurd said.
The last thing to remember is to not get down on yourself or give up if you don’t follow through with your resolution the first time. Don’t give up. You can make a goal at any time of the year.
