We did it. We survived what 2015 had to throw at us, and are now looking to conquer 2016 and all the sticks and stones it will sling at us. To alleviate some anxiety that certain stressors in 2016 will inevitably create, resolutions are instated. New Year’s resolutions provide motivation to push us to change bad habits and fulfill our goals for the year. Whether it means removing your gluttonous nature, reading more books, or even finding the time to talk to your family more often, the resolution acts as an enhancement to forward the process of achieving your goal for the year.
The philosophy behind a New Year’s resolution of “New Year, New Me” can cause a spectacular evolution in someone, but the transformation rides on the coattails of a new year, implementing an unnecessary factor for you to change yourself. The New Year provides a convenient date to implement their new goals and behaviors. New Year’s resolutions act as reminders of what was unsuccessful in our past, and what we have yet to achieve. It reminds the lame attitude we possibly could have when we did not achieve the same goal as the previous year.
The main issue with resolutions is that they are often issues that people have found they need to address, but put it off for the New Year. People see what they need to change, but do not immediately change it. Since people procrastinate on the change, it becomes much less of a priority. The low priority of the goal will ultimately lead to people not meeting their goal. If people did not wait, they would have more motivation to continue to work towards the change. Laziness plays a role in fixating on whether or not a person can achieve his/her goal. It comes down to self-motivation, and although it may be hard to possess, we all have it somewhere.
If you see that you need a change in your life, whether it be a fitness goal, wanting to get better grades, or whatever else you want to fix, do not wait for the start of a new year. Every day is a new day, and it is never too early to make a change. If you do not wait, you will be happier with the life you are living now, as opposed to hoping that the New Year will be more fulfilling. You do not need a new year to make a new you.
