As we approach the start of a new year (and a new decade!), many people are seeking a better year and to move forward positively from 2019. It has become common culture, particularly in North America, to set goals or New Year’s resolutions for themselves to follow and strive for in the new year. Whether it’s to eat healthier, to hit the gym more frequently or to read more, January is a month where many people are motivated to better themselves and to live an ideal lifestyle. However, how often do these resolutions last and stick as a part of one’s lifestyle? It’s common to see people burn out within months or even weeks of setting unrealistic goals for themselves. So how effective is setting resolutions? Why do we only set major goals for ourselves in the start of a year? Why can’t we be motivated to change our lives at any point in the year?
I am a huge advocate for self-improvement and for working towards creating your ideal lifestyle. I love setting goals and being motivated to better myself. However, I find that I often set unrealistic goals and I have far-fetched expectations of myself and what I can feasibly accomplish. This often leads to slumps of exhaustion and a lack of motivation, which is why about a third of resolutions do not make it past the first month. The beginning of January is always marked with this newfound sense of determination and excitement, but by the end of the month, it seems as though everyone has lost all hope. This is why I no longer set New Year’s resolutions. I believe that we all have the ability to change our lives at any time of the year. Although I understand that the beginning of the year seems like the perfect opportunity to take advantage of our motivation to have a great year, this can also cause us to think unrealistically.
Here are the main reasons why New Year’s resolutions rarely last and what you should do instead:
1. The goal is overwhelming or too broad
“I will have a healthier lifestyle this year.” “I will eat better.” “I will improve my mental health.”
All of these new habits are very broad and are very big actions to take. Trying to accomplish something as large as any of these goals can easily become overwhelming, which will lead to a loss of motivation. If you throw yourself into the deep end of the pool, you will feel lost and it will feel as though your goal is too far to reach. Instead, take small steps towards a habit that will help you to live a healthier lifestyle or will help you prioritize your mental health. For example, instead of saying “I will go to the gym every day and be more fit this year!” try setting goals like “I will take the stairs instead of taking the elevator every day” or “I will make an effort to walk more every day by opting to walk instead of driving to places nearby.” Of course, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go to the gym, but it means that you shouldn’t burn yourself out by trying to work out every day. Instead, try going once or twice a week and then slowly increase the number of times you exercise every week. Remember that the most important part is to make sure you are enjoying whatever you are doing! Finding a way to make going to the gym fun and enjoyable will help you have a positive experience with striving towards a healthier lifestyle.
2. We tend to have an “all-or-nothing” attitude
When we set goals for ourselves, we think big and life-changing. We want to improve our lives drastically and quickly. However, it is impossible to suddenly turn your life around within a day. Just as someone running a marathon would train for months ahead of time, we also need to take the time to prepare ourselves and to slowly build up small habits. If your goal is to read more frequently, instead of pulling out a huge novel to read by the end of the week, try taking a few minutes every day to read a news article or a couple of pages of a short book. Although it may seem silly, taking the time to build up a habit is much more effective than to dive headfirst into something you want to accomplish.
3. We are unwilling to accept the fact that we make mistakes! (and that it’s okay to fail)
The main reason why the majority of people are unable to keep their resolutions is that they reach a point where they feel as though they can’t keep going. However, it is okay to feel tired and to take a break! What many people fail to recognize is that we can always get ourselves back up and begin again. Remember to recognize that no one is perfect and that is okay to mess up! Tomorrow is a new day and there will always be an opportunity to keep moving forward. Having the mindset of striving for improvement and consistently working towards your goals is key to keeping your New Year’s resolutions. Be kind to yourself and allow yourself to take breaks! Being able to recognize when you need to take a breath and slow down is important to your health and to your path to improving yourself!
In all, setting New Year’s resolutions seems very idealistic and is a very inspiring way to kick off the new year. However, being able to recognize what is realistic for your lifestyle is important! Don’t feel pressured to set goals at the beginning of the year! I believe that striving towards a better version of yourself is a life-long journey. Begin whenever you feel ready to take the first couple of baby steps to create habits that will transform your life. Remember to listen to your body and your mind and to enjoy the process of improving yourself!
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