This coming Sunday marks the beginning of a new year so you know many people will begin saying what their New Year’s Resolutions are. But does anyone know why we actually make these resolutions?

Historians think that the first New Year’s Resolutions were made around 4,000 years ago by the Babylonians. Even though the Babylonians started this tradition, their resolutions were quite a bit different than what they are now. The resolutions the Babylonians made were promises to their gods to pay their debts or return any borrowed objects. Keeping their promises to the gods would result in the gods providing good fortunes in the new year, while not keeping their promises meant misfortune would fall upon them for the entire year.

Around 46 B.C, the Romans began making their own New Year’s Resolutions. The Romans would offer sacrifices to Janus—the god that could see the future and the past simultaneously. They would also promise Janus that they would only have good behavior in the new year.

The early Christians also took part in establishing the New Year’s Resolutions tradition. The Christians would hold special New Year’s Eve services where it was custom to think about their past mistakes and make resolutions stating that they would do and be better in the future. They would also pray to God for guidance regarding their behavior in the new year.

In present day, New Year’s Resolutions are more of a promise to an individual person rather than a god. 45% of Americans usually make New Year’s Resolutions and these resolutions often focus on self-improvements, such as going to the gym, eating healthier, spending less money, focusing on being more positive, or spend more time with loved ones. Even though these New Year’s Resolutions seem pretty manageable, only 8% of resolutions are actually successful.

So when it’s time to make your New Year’s Resolution choose wisely and don’t fail. If you do fail, may the ancient gods bring misfortune upon you. Happy New Year!