Every year, many of us decide to make a change in our lives. Big or small, we decide that we can live better, be better or feel better in some way. Instead of starting right away, we tend to save these goals for a specific date: January 1. In a way, it makes sense to save creating the "new you" for the New Year, but who decided that this day was the best day for joining gyms and throwing out cigarettes?
Historic Resolutions
The origins of New Year's resolutions can be traced back to Babylonian times, when it was a tradition to make promises to the gods at the start of the year. This Akitu Festival would be 12 days long, during which people would make resolutions that included paying back debts and returning things that were borrowed.
The ancient Romans also made resolutions during their New Year celebrations. During the beginning of the month of Januarius (modern day January), they gave offerings to the god Janus, for whom the month was named. Janus was a two-faced deity, symbolic for looking back at the old and ahead at the new. By giving offerings to Janus, as well as exchanging gifts and kindness with one another, the Romans believed that they would have good fortune for the whole year.
Medieval knights had their own versions of New Year's resolutions, known as "the vow of the peacock." This annual tradition consisted of individually placing their hands on a live or roasted peacock, which they saw as noble birds. During this ceremony, the knights would recommit themselves to the ideals of chivalry.
Resolutions Today
Although many people make resolutions today, not many people are successful in fulfilling their goals. According to data collected by Statistic Brain Research Institute, the most popular resolutions of 2015 were, in decreasing order, lose weight; get organized; spend less, save more; enjoy life to the fullest; staying fit and healthy; learn something exciting; quit smoking; help others with their dreams; fall in love; and spend more time with family. 47 percent of resolutions were self-improvement or education related, 38 percent were weight related, 34 percent were money related, and 31 percent were money related. Unfortunately, only 45 percent of Americans "usually" make New Year's resolutions, while 38 percent "absolutely never" make them. Only 8 percent of these people were completely successful, while 49 percent were "infrequently" successful and another 24 percent failed to reach their goals at all. However, there is hope for all the college-age people, since researchers found that of the people who achieve their resolutions every year, 39 percent of them are in their twenties!
In order to make successful resolutions, it is important to be realistic. Take, for example, the resolutions made by Babylonians, Romans or Medieval knights. While you most likely won't be able to pay back all of your debts (a.k.a. student loans) this year, you could probably be kind to a neighbor, return the clothes you borrowed from your sister and maybe vow to be a little more chivalrous. And if you are going to set an exercise or habit related goal, understand that you won't get results overnight! Maybe a good resolution to make is "be patient" or "don't be so hard on yourself." Make a resolution to try something new this year – a small change could have big results!
