Every New Year, people find a burst of motivation to improve their lives. Whether it’s making the bed every day or becoming a world champion at the gym, the increase of a number on the calendar sparks inspiration in many.
New Year’s resolutions can be great sources of motivation, but not for very long. Shortly into the year, people give up on or forget about the goals they were determined to achieve just a few weeks prior.
Many Leesville students make New Year’s Resolutions, while others avoid the tradition for various reasons.
Jonah Powell, junior, said, “I didn’t make any resolutions this year. I’m just trying to be a better person.”
Powell said that most people are unsuccessful with their New Year’s resolutions. “You develop more if you’re self-reliant, rather than reliant on a rule you made for yourself. Most people rely on the rule, rather than themselves,” said Powell.
One reason people give up on their resolutions is because they do not have a real enthusiasm to improve their life. They think that simply having the idea is enough to make an actual change.
Additionally, people set goals that are unrealistic. They think that the New Year will cause a total 180 in their mindsets, instead of starting out small and working up.
There is also a societal pressure to make a New Year’s resolution. Many people — especially online — discuss their goals for the upcoming year, making them feel more performative than genuine.
“[People] feel like if everybody else is [making a resolution], they should, but it doesn’t keep them reliable,” said Powell.
However, resolutions can be beneficial — if you use them in the right way.
Sophia Kyle, sophomore, said, “I want to get my mileage up for running. I enjoy running, and it’s something I want to improve on.”
A resolution can be great for improving an area of your life that you enjoy. Kyle already wanted to be better at running, and making a New Year’s resolution provides her with extra encouragement.
“I think [resolutions] are useful because it gives you motivation to stick to your goals… People see areas of their life they want to improve on and make goals,” said Kyle.
Whether or not you make an official New Year’s resolution, setting goals is helpful for becoming a better version of yourself.
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