Why and how you should make a New Year’s resolution

What do you want to change in the new year?

Shortly after saying “Happy New Year”, people often ask: “Have you set a New Year’s resolution?” While everyone knows what resolutions are, not many make them; moreover, many of those who do make them often give up before the end of February. Not surprisingly, it is precisely this inability to remain committed to our resolutions that discourages us from setting them in the first place.

This year, instead of thinking that there is no point in setting a resolution, you must think about what you can gain from doing so. By this, I am referring not only to the actual realisation of your goals but the process of introspection.

To set a resolution, you must first look inward

Whether or not you follow through on your resolutions, you will undoubtedly gain plenty by simply looking inward. That is, to set a resolution, one should first analyse their life. This means that you must reflect on the year that has gone past and how it has made you feel.

From there, you can begin to ask yourself whether you are happy with your current situation, what you would improve, and what you want to leave behind. It is only through this process of introspection that we can then find a resolution that has both meaning and potential.

Dream big but set realistic goals

There is no harm in wanting to achieve something grand; however, setting yourself an overly ambitious goal can feel daunting. In turn, you will be more likely to give up before you even properly begin. The most common example of such a goal is the resolution to "lose weight”. Although this is a realistic target, it is not easy to accomplish.

To make daunting goals feel more achievable, one must simply break them down. Therefore, instead of resolving to lose weight, one can commit to exercising three times a week, doing yoga every morning, or eating a set number of calories per day.

Anticipate setbacks

Once you have a concrete and realistic goal, pick a start date. While people tend to begin working on their resolutions from 1 January, it is not always helpful to do so. This is especially true for people who find the holiday season to be a stressful and chaotic time. In such cases, it is best to wait several days before calmly embarking on your self-improvement journey. 

Finally, it is important to anticipate setbacks and to know that there are days when things do not go according to plan. When this happens, be patient instead of being angry. Most importantly, do not be discouraged and remember that setbacks do not necessarily mean the end of the road.