The Pressure of Resolutions

           Did you make a New Year’s resolution this year? Here’s a follow-up question– are you still following through on that resolution? A lot of people set a goal for the new year, but following through on it can become a challenge for many. Forbes says, “55% of respondents kept their New Year's resolution for less than a year, with 11% lasting at least six months, 14% lasting at least three months, 19% lasting at least one month and just 11% lasting less than a month.”

So, if you’re one of the many that didn’t end up keeping their New Year’s resolution, just know you’re not alone! It’s extremely common to enthusiastically set a goal for the new year, whether that be things such as working out more, eating healthier, journaling, or waking up early, but once you get back to your normal routine after the holidays it can be hard to keep this up. It is an important reminder that if you didn’t keep up with your resolutions, you are not a failure! And if you have been, great job! And if you didn’t make a resolution at all, you are also doing fine. This blog post will dive into reasons people struggle with keeping resolutions, and how to set attainable goals that set yourself up for success!

            When creating New Year’s resolutions, it can be easy to get excited and overshoot your capabilities. For example, if you’re someone that normally wakes up at nine am everyday, it might be a lot to set a resolution of waking up early and just start waking up at six am on January 1st. Your body isn’t used to that, and your schedule isn’t used to that either. Overshooting a goal can easily lead to giving up quicker and easier. You know yourself best, so set a goal that you know is attainable but will still push you. Instead, try waking up an hour earlier each week, and go to bed earlier. Your body will slowly get used to the shift, and you’ll feel better about being able to achieve this goal over time.

            Another reason one might give up their New Year’s resolution is not creating a specific enough goal. If your resolution is to be more positive, it can be hard to gauge your success in achieving this goal day to day. A different way to approach your goal could be to compliment three people every day and write in a gratitude journal. Adding specifics to your goals aids in tracking your success or what you need to adjust and makes it harder to give the goal up.

           If you didn’t set a New Year's Resolution, January 1st doesn’t have to be the only time you decide to set a goal! It’s never too late to start, and you shouldn’t be intimidated by the pressure surrounding a resolution. Instead of resolutions, think of it as intentions. There is no need to force yourself into a life-transforming goal, instead, whenever you feel ready, set some intentions and achievable goals. There is never a right or wrong time for this, just do what is best for you!

            In the culture we live in, it can be very easy to fall into “hustle culture” -- the pressure and expectation of always working, setting extraneous goals, overachieving, and never taking breaks. If you didn’t set a New Year’s resolution, had to adjust your resolution to be more achievable, or had to let go of your resolution– you have nothing to worry about. At the end of the day, simply creating a strong routine, practicing healthy habits and wellness daily, and engaging in meaningful relationships is a great start to a happy life and achieving any goals you set along the way. Sometimes, setting unattainable goals and not being able to achieve them can set you back, and cause negative self-talk. Be kind and graceful to yourself, and don’t push yourself to your limit. Setting goals is great, but always keep in mind the needs of your body and mental health to maintain your health and happiness.