By Gianna Ferace ’25
We enter the New Year with the best of intentions. Our resolution lists are filled with changes we’ll bring into the new year, like having a healthier lifestyle, getting better grades, working harder at our jobs, and so on. It’s great…in theory. Studies show that although 60% of Americans make new year resolutions, less than 20% of them achieve them. And why is that? Most of the time, it’s because we jump straight in and don’t approach them the right way. If you aren’t figuring out what is holding you back, or you don’t have a reason, you’ll just be holding on to willpower. “Willpower is like a battery; it needs to be restored and will eventually run out altogether.” – Polly Bateman, Poosh
So how do we stay consistent? Write a list of reasons why you started. If you’ve lost motivation, you can come back to this list and remember why you want to continue this new habit the whole year. Another way is to choose a word for the year. If you want to write more, cook more, etc…the word would be create. Remember this word all year round, and think of ways to bring it into your life and find it in the world.
If you’ve already broken your New Year’s resolutions, don’t give up! Just start again when you’re ready, and hopefully these tips will make your year even better than last.
Source: “4 Reasons to Make New Years’ Resolutions, Even if You Don’t Keep Them.” Tracy Brower, Forbes
