Ah, yes, the end of 2025 is in sight, and it is time to decide whether to make a New Year's Resolution....or not! I would venture to say that not many people know that humans have been doing this tradition for over 4,000 years! The tradition dates back to the Babyonians, who made promises to their gods during the Akitu festival for a prosperous new year. The Romans caught wind of this tradition, and adopted it by making vows to Janus, the two faced god of beginnings, which is where the name for January came from. And it has continued in various ways since then.
It is said that young adults aged 18 to 29 are the most likely to make a resolution, especially concerning their career, while health is a top concern across all ages. Studies show that less than 10% of people keep their resolutions. Many give up quickly; 23% quit the first week, and by the end of the first month, 64% have already abandoned their vision of a better future. I wonder how these statistics are gleaned? And how do they know how many people actually do keep those promises?
I think New Year's resolutions can be described as personal goals made at the start of a new year for self improvement. Focusing on things like health, finances, relationships or learning new skills, many fail due to being too ambitious, or lacking in a plan as to how to achieve the goal. But I do believe that the goals we create can be accomplished with dedication to the end result. Small steps, regular reviews, and a focus of building a new habit can go a long way toward making those dreams come true!
Since it is time to start thinking about what your resolution may entail, I will give you a few ideas of how to focus on that end result.
If your plan is Health & Wellness, some things to incorporate into your new year are exercise appropriate to your age and skill level, balanced diet, better sleep, being mindful, and managing stress through relaxation, meditation, or just taking time to "watch the river flow".
How about increasing your financial picture? Making a budget and sticking to it, saving money with intention, and focusing on paying off outstanding debt will be small steps with a big reward.
And relationships? We all know no matter what kind of relationship we are talking about, improving clear communication is key. Also, building a good relationship takes spending quality time with those you want to become closer to.
Personal growth can be accomplished by learning new skills that interest you, exploring new places, reading more, and new hobbies.
So, be specific, realistic, and start small. Write down your goal so you are reminded of what you are doing, and why. Build your new habits into a daily routine to incorporate them into every day. Remember to take time to review your progress and be flexible with yourself so you are not discouraged. And maybe the most important one, share your goals out loud with friends and family to make you accountable!
So, I am wishing you a Happy New Year! May your resolutions be realistic, and your dreams come through!
