By Hadassa Ferreira, Arts & Culture Editor
“New year, new me!”
“New year, new life!”
“New year, more changes!”
These are slogans that mark the minds of billions of people at the beginning of each new year. These sentences aim to boost new outcomes; however, most times, resolutions end up dying as promises of a future that never arrives.
December comes, and people start writing down their lists of resolutions, then January passes by, and “Quitter’s Day” arrives. By February, their lists of resolutions are dumped in the trash.
According to a 2024 health survey by Forbes, most people’s intent to keep New Year’s resolutions lasts only two to four months before they give up or forget their goals. According to the survey, 8 percent of people give up their resolutions after a month, 21.9 percent last two months, 22.2 percent last three months, and 13.1 percent, four months.
Most New Year’s resolutions fail because people often don’t understand why they truly wantthose changes, or how their existing habits and sense of self already compose a lifestyle that is beneficial to them.
Although people genuinely believe they want to achieve specific results, internal fears often hold them back by creating resistance to change. These fears may stem from uncertainty about how new changes will affect their lives, or from a fear of abandonment, since change can sometimes mean losing loved ones or growing distant from people who were part of their old routine.
Another factor behind failed resolutions is that many people have a weak sense of identity. They struggle to recognize who they truly are, and which changes or outcomes genuinely align with their own needs and values. It is very common that in someone’s resolution list, many of the goals are based on what “everyone else” is doing. Focusing on who you are and the possible new version of you is a better approach than focusing on what you want to achieve.
Moreover, New Year’s resolutions bring not only expectations, but also large amounts of pressure on people, and pressure and expectations are the perfect path to frustration.
“I think it’s more difficult to fulfill a New Year’s resolution depending on how much pressure there is to stick with it,” said Tamar Olgin, a senior majoring in psychology.
For resolutions to be successful, it is necessary for people to take a deep trip inside themselves and analyze the reasons their bad habits are there. After that, they need to discover a way of fixing those things that impede them from reaching their goals. It is crucial to address the internal fears and treat them honestly, acknowledging their presence and spending time processing them. This is what opens space to new beginnings.
To achieve success, it is crucial to have mental health and a strong and stable mindset. People think as many new outcomes as possible is the best, but they do not realize that adding too much to their plate might be more of a burden than a help.
It is also important to remember that people have a hard time fulfilling their New Year’s resolutions because, most of the time, they tend to add big goals to their list that are hard to achieve. Instead, it is best to think about small goals to add to one’s routine in a way that makes sense to the person that one already is. It is important to look at yourself with compassion without comparison or pressure.
“In my view, the most effective way to maintain a New Year’s resolution is to break it into monthly goals rather than committing to one big year‑long promise. Shorter time frames make habits easier to build, and if something isn’t working for you, there’s a natural point to reassess and pivot,” said Manuela Henao-Coca, a senior majoring in business management and international studies.
If people really want to partake in the journey of New Year’s resolutions, it is best to plan concrete and small steps towards significant change. It is good to have an empowering support structure, such as a community that believes in your capability to change and support you.
The most important part of New Year’s resolutions is starting and trying. If, throughout the course, you realize the chosen resolutions do not match your true self, it is okay to change your mind and ditch your New Year’s resolutions. What truly matters is perseverance and the constant commitment to self-improvement.
