As the calendar flips to another year, an odd mix of regret, optimism, and determination strikes many of us. This curious state of mind reminds one of an annual ritual: resolutions. A resolution, by definition, is a firm decision to do or not do something. But when combined with the New Year, it symbolises fresh starts and endless potential. Unfortunately as the sparkle of the New Year fades, so too do many of these resolutions. So, do resolutions work or are they just a time-honoured tradition?
The custom of resolutions is as old as recorded history. The Babylonians are said to have been the first to make them, vowing to return borrowed items and repay debts. In ancient Rome, Julius Caesar introduced January 1 as the start of the year, and people offered resolutions to Janus, the two-faced god. Resolutions today are not about appeasing deities; it is about self-improvement. They symbolise hope, change, and the human desire to strive for better. But while the intent remains noble, the question of effectiveness persists. The journey from resolution to reality is often paved with the laughter of our friends, family, and colleagues.
We link resolutions with the New Year because the dawn of a year is like a clean slate. People envision January 1 as a magical reset button to erase past failures, to rid oneself of bad habits and make a better version of themselves that finally eats healthier, exercises more, and refrains from phone chats. This annual enthusiasm, however, often meets a hilariously untimely demise.
Every year, many of us resolve to cut back on phone usage, promising ourselves to limit screen time and spend more hours on meaningful activities such as reading, exercising, or bonding with family. For the first few days, we stick to it by setting app limits. But later, a quick check on notifications turn into an hour-long scroll, and it becomes too strong to resist. So, the first failed resolution.
Promises to keep
The next New Year vow will be to curb unnecessary spending. However, the first sight of the online mega New Year sale undoes all our planning. Family members tease us asking, “What happened to your no more impulse shopping pledge?”, as we unbox our package of things we don’t need. Another most popular resolution is to adopt a healthy diet. Downloading calorie-counting apps, people bid adieu to samosas and laddoos. By the second week of January, colleagues notice the silent longing in your eyes as you stare at the canteen snacks counter. In a mocking concern, they ask you, “No more samosa, today?” Someone offers a slice of a birthday cake, and the rest is history. Rising with the sun is a resolution that promises more productivity and time for morning rituals. On the third week of January, the snooze button gets pressed again.
This year, I resolve to write at least two research articles. Of course, this resolution comes with its challenges: finding quiet, focused hours amid lectures, meetings, and grading. Can I achieve this? I have to wait and watch. The beauty of resolutions lies not just in making them, but in the hilarious ways they unravel. Family, friends, and colleagues are often the first to point out our lapses, turning our grand plans into moments of laughter.
Studies often suggest that 80% of resolutions are abandoned by February. Why does this happen? People often set overly ambitious or vague resolutions. The initial excitement of a fresh start wanes quickly especially when faced with the demands of everyday life. Many abandon their goals after one slip-up, thinking they have failed completely. Even if resolutions don’t lead to lasting change, they are not entirely pointless. The process of making them encourages introspection. It makes us pause, assess our lives, and identify what truly matters. Resolutions symbolise renewal. They give us a reason to pause, dream, and strive. Whether or not we achieve them, they remind us of our potential and the endless opportunities a New Year brings. As the saying goes, “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” Resolutions may not always lead us to the finish line, but they set us on a path of self-discovery, growth, and hope.
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