Are New Year Resolutions Overrated?

Did you stick to that diet? And how are your new dedicated study periods working out? What about that goal to reduce screen time?

The clock hit a proverbial midnight 2 months ago, marking the start of a new year. After the ball dropped in Times Square and the excitement of a fresh start rolls in, the time-old tradition had already emerged: the making of resolutions. Ranging from fitness to romance to success, children and adults of all age listed goals to achieve in the new year. New Year to most of us, means a new beginning of a chapter of our lives.

It was estimated that 164 million American adults (64.6%) made new year resolutions this new decade, mostly for health and self-improvement. But, many people are just re- generating lists of new year resolutions that they already have waited several years to get accomplished.

“Less than 25% of people actually stay committed to their resolutions after just 30 days, and only 8% accomplish them.”

Forbes, Justin Conklin

Then why continue?

Despite the almost guaranteed failure of keeping new year resolutions, people all around the world are continuing this practice. So are new year resolutions made for mental comfort for change? Psychologically, it is studied that people continue to make resolutions in hope and certain level of their belief that they have the ability to change to who they truly want to be in life.

Personally, I make resolutions to mentally prepare for the possible changes ahead. I always have remorseful decisions and actions I had made the previous year, so hoping that things will be different, I list out what I can change in the new year. Of course, my resolutions are extremely cliché: get fit, get good grades, be happy. Worst of all, I completely forget that I had made resolutions throughout the year and end up ditching the list.

Over this analysis, I wanted to see if new year resolutions are in fact, overrated. I interview junior Nicolas Dearth and senior Nicole Han.

Students’ Perspective

I think New Years resolutions are just made for my personal mindset. I agree that resolutions are so hard to maintain, so I made it very realistic this year: to be committed to college through baseball. I realize it’s a lot easier to have just one specific goal because it guides me through what I should work on constantly.

Nico Dearth, SAS

My New Years resolutions this year was to not think negatively. It’s not as effective as I thought it would be because it’s not realistic and I feel like as human being its inevitable to always think in a positive mindset. But I like making resolutions because it’s somewhat a goal in life.

Nicole Han, SAS

New Year Resolutions are not a constant reminder in the back of our minds for most of us. It is almost inevitable that resolutions are not fulfilled; however, it’s undeniable that new year resolutions spread a positive mindset and set a tone for the new year which is why it will probably continue as a tradition.