Resolve Not To Resolve | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Resolve Not To Resolve

This Year I Resolve Not To Make A Resolution

34
Resolve Not To Resolve

This year I resolve not to resolve.

Why?

This may seem like a contradiction--"resolving not to resolve"--but the truth is, resolutions only turn out to be major disappointments and huge letdowns.

Every year, millions of people make New Year’s resolutions on the 1st of January; whether it’s resolving to lose weight, quit a bad habit, or get into a successful relationship. However, most people fail to follow through. In fact, according to statistics, about 8% of people who make resolutions actually stick to them (Statistic Brain Research Institute). This bleak statistic only proves that resolutions are quite pointless. Instead of making a resolution that is most likely going to be forgotten or something you're going to cheat on, we should make goals that aren’t “New Year’s resolutions” because that only sets us up for failure that will eventually lower our self-esteem or ultimately cause us to lose all hope in our ability to obtain success in our aspirations. A New Year’s resolution may solely be something that makes us feel better in the moment, almost like a second chance, but once we lose the will to hold to the resolution, it only brings a sense of failure upon ourselves. It’s as if we intentionally throw ourselves into the pit of failure again and again every year, as if we will be a completely different person on January 1st than we were on December 31st, and some of us even fool ourselves into believing this blissful fantasy.

Though there are some of those lucky people who have the willpower to stick to their resolutions, the majority of us do not. Personally, I know that every time I make a resolution to do something, it usually doesn't happen and I feel as though I lost or something. I feel like I failed. So instead of making a "New Year's resolution," make little goals throughout the year that are attainable, and pursue those instead. Do something that is logical that you can stick to and not stray away from. Not only will this lessen the load and make life less strenuous, but if you fail one goal you can keep trying again without the repercussions of it being a New Year's resolution--then there is really no second chance and this will only make you glum by the end of the year.

So try that new diet or exercising plan, kick that bad habit or nervous tick, or try to succeed better in school or in a new relationship. Whatever it may be, do it because it's a goal you are trying to attain throughout the year and not because it's a New Year's resolution. Even have a friend join you and try this new goal together; it's always more fun and a lot easier when you have a buddy at your side for moral support. Just make sure to do it without it being a resolution that, if you break, you'll feel bad about yourself because of it. The goal should make your life better, not make you feel like a failure and as though you are stuck in the routine of the previous year.

Also, New Year's resolutions are harmful because they allow you throughout the year to continue in bad habits or behaviors because you believe that it'll be okay and you can just easily fix it with a New Year's resolution the next year. This type of mindset only reveals the lack of commitment or dedication because if you really had the motivation or desire to make a change within yourself or your life, you would do it immediately and not wait until the new year. Leaving ourselves this loophole to commit poor actions is unhealthy and a bad idea.

New Year's resolutions do not in any way compensate for our bad actions and will not reverse any mistakes we made in the past. Most people look to this as their comfort because it currently gives them hope and instant gratification with themselves, but it only leads to failure if they don't follow through. And why would they? If they were serious about changing they wouldn't have waited until January 1st but would have started to work on themselves immediately. This arbitrary date only provides an excuse for when we eventually surrender to our weaknesses or lack of discipline and renounce our goal to become better.

Therefore, this year I resolve not to make a New Year's resolution.

What about you?

You don't need to make a New Year's resolution to set goals for yourself.

Resolve not to resolve.

* * *

Happy New Years!


Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
an image of taylor swift standing center stage surrounded by her backup dancers in elegant peacock esque outfits with a backdrop of clouds and a box rising above the stage the image captures the vibrant aesthetics and energy of her performance during the lover era of her eras tour
StableDiffusion

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

82322
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

9564
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments