Blog: My Thoughts on New Year’s Resolutions

Happy 2025! I can’t believe it’s been a year since I’ve last posted.

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I can feel you all cringing at that joke through my computer screen.

It’s the New Year and that means that for the past few days, people have been busy making their New Year’s resolutions and posting them online or telling others what their resolutions should look like. Some of the most common resolutions this year include saving money, improving physical health, exercise more, be happier, and be healthier. So basically, people are aiming for a bunch of good, but fairly vague resolutions this year, as always. Other resolutions I’ve heard about online are being more selfish, not exercising, and creating resolution bingo cards instead of vision boards (both of which can be quite stupid, especially if you’re trying to “manifest” your resolution from the universe).

Personally, I think New Year’s resolutions are a good idea in theory. You make a commitment to change, it gives you hope for the new year that things will get better, and you do it. In reality, however, they’re useless unless you’re willing to work on your resolution. For example, one of the most common resolutions that people make is that they’re going to exercise more, but what usually happens is that they quit very quickly. Why? Because it takes work and discipline to exercise every day, especially if you have to wake up early to do so. Most people don’t want to do that and just content themselves with sitting around like they did last year. Nothing changes.

So, what should you do to keep your New Year’s resolution. First of all, make it something that isn’t totally over the top. Make it something that you should be able to reach.

Next, find a support group. Tell your friends, family, partner, or someone who can keep you accountable and hold you to your resolution. Even if it’s not a New Year’s resolution, a support group can really help you in getting to your goal. For example, what got me to start exercising was the fact that PE was a requirement in 8th grade. I hated it at first, but after some pushing from my parents since I needed at least 60 hours on my PE time logs for it to count, I found some workout routines on YouTube that I liked, and it’s become part of my routine. Sure, my leg muscles barely work now and my mid back hurts for some reason, but my physical and mental health thank me. So, find someone or something that will force you to reach your goal.

And lastly, be willing to follow through with it. Even with a support group, what really matters is that you actually do it. They can be there for you, but only you can change yourself.

Until next time,

M.J.