As 2023 begins, many may be anticipating Jan. 1 as a fresh start, a time to begin a new hobby or change their lifestyle for the better. Others may see it as just another day on the calendar, and if they want to make a change, it does not have to be at the start of a new year. Are New Year’s resolutions dead or just taking on a new form?
New Year’s resolutions show up in multiple different ways, most commonly as lifestyle changes, according to a recent Statista poll. The poll found the most common New Year’s resolution for 2023 was to exercise more, followed by eating healthier. While these ideas are good in theory, resolutioners tend to stop at just saying what they will do in the new year and end up reverting to old habits before the month is out. According to a 2016 study, only 9% of people are successful in keeping their resolutions.
“I think everyone should have goals,” said Matthew Phillips, a barista at Roasted Coffee Shop in Olmsted Falls, Ohio. “I don’t think it’s bad to have New Year’s resolutions, but I feel like you shouldn’t use the New Year’s resolution to make an excuse. You should already be doing what you want to do.”
Phillips said he values his goals, and said he bought his first house in 2022 and is looking forward to making more music and eating less fast food in 2023.
Many resolutions fail because they are too vague, too unachievable or they lack planning. According to recommendations from the Cleveland Clinic, being flexible and specific with goals helps them stick. For instance, instead of just saying, “I am going to exercise more,” one could say, “I am going to start running three days a week.” With a little effort and accountability, a resolution could turn into a passion for someone.
Despite any debate on whether or not resolutions are a good idea, the goals of more recent resolutions have changed to not only sustain physical health but mental health, personal confidence and acceptance as well. In 2023, resolutions often sound more like “I want to start going to the gym to feel good” or “I am going to practice daily gratitude and affirmations,” focusing on all kinds of health.
Emma Shelnutt, a first-year student at Hiram College, said that she noticed a positive shift in New Year’s resolutions and additionally had positive resolutions for herself including working on mental health, starting little positive movements and striving for a “yes mentality.”
“I think over the years, many people have moved their New Year’s resolutions to be something as simple as losing weight to being something bigger than themselves, trying to achieve more,” said Shelnutt.
No matter what kind of resolutions a person is looking to strive for, there is no timeline requirement for starting a habit, whether it is Jan. 1 or the middle of July. The truth is a goal can be started at any time, but people often use the inspiration of a fresh slate to put it into action.
Hannah Corrigan, a first-year studying early childhood education at Bowling Green, said she had goals to keep a high GPA and go to the gym more. She also made it a point that New Year’s should not be the only time to start a goal or have that fresh start feeling.
“I think you should set your goals whenever you feel like setting them,” she said. “I know when I went to college my first semester, I had the goal of going to the gym and keeping up good grades and I felt like that was a reset for me for a year starting then.”
In addition to Jan. 1, anyone can start goals or resolutions anytime, whether it be for a new year, new semester, new season or new week. Starting with small, achievable goals and working up to big aspirations is a way to still feel productive and accomplished without becoming overwhelmed and burnt out.
Whether someone has one resolution for 2023 or one million, there is no sign of resolutions being “so last year.” They can be a great way to spark ideas and a fresh feeling for those having trouble finding inspiration, and when followed through, can provide a confidence boost like no other.
“It’s hard to keep a goal,” said Shelnutt, “But I think it’s a great thing to just have perspective and then try and keep your goals going.”
