Are New Year Resolutions Worth It?

‘Tis that time of the year again. With Christmas just knocking at the door, most of us are gearing up to have a set of resolutions to fulfil the upcoming year. We look back, see what was missing, set a determined goal to do something different next year. We start the new year with jest and perseverance. Grinding away and being productive. By the middle of the month, all of that determination and zeal start ebbing away. While we struggle to keep up the promise, most of us fail in the long run.

Let’s face it. We have all been there and done that. However, that does not stop us from setting up new goals for ourselves every single year. Is it really effective? Or is it something overrated?

New Year is like a blank canvas. It is the start of something new. As human beings, we are wired to function better at the beginning. New Year is that starting point. That is why New Year resolutions are so popular. We wait for that point. It is easier for us. However, you do not need to wait for a new year just to set a goal or make a resolution.

You do not need a set time and date to start your self-improvement journey

Yes, January 1st acts like a blank canvas. However, is it really that important? Whether you are on January 1st of June 10th, or even December 25th, there is no fixed date for betterment. You can start in the middle of the year, day, or month. The key is to start. That matters more than waiting for the year to turn around to make some change.

Change takes time

Why do so many start with jest but fail to keep up with their resolution in the long term? This is because change does not happen abruptly. It is a result of consistency. The more you act on something, the easier it becomes. So, if you plan to wake up at 6 am every day, you can hardly start that abruptly without any practice. And if you do, it is imperative that the habit would not be lasting longer. Instead, start early. If you plan to ease into a habit by January 1st, it is better to start before, perhaps a couple of weeks earlier. So, if you have any resolution, start now and ease into it slowly.

One step at a time

Most of the time, we take on too much on our plate. It is the new year, and we are excited to start afresh. The key is long term consistency. Therefore, if you plan to wake up at 6 am, perhaps you can start by waking up at 7 am and then pushing back 15 minutes each week. That would mean that, by the end of 4 weeks, you would be able to ease into your goal. You can apply this for several things. Most people want to exercise more as a part of resolutions. Start small. It is not healthy to push for the end goal at once. First, you have to break the inertia, that is, by getting up and exercising, then with small steps, you can increase the state of the goal. Running 5k at first, is a hard thing. That will put off your brain from pursuing the goal. Aim lower for the moment. And increase your pace with each level.

Developing new habits is a big part of resolutions. It is evident that if we take on too much, we will fail. Instead of developing 12 habits at once, you can bridge it out to developing one habit per month. That way, at the end of 12 months, you would be a better version than you were before. Research states that it takes 21 days to form a new habit. Dedicating 30 days to a particular habit is a great way to make it stick in the long run. It is simpler and more accessible. However, you do not have to start on the first day of the month. Instead, you can make your schedule and do it accordingly.

Yes, New Year’s resolutions are overrated. They do not need that much importance as we give them. However, I understand why it is such a significant part for us. The key to building a successful habit is creating it from an old one, starting small, and being consistent. After all, there is no limit to self-improvement. And you do not need a fixed date to begin. So, start small and build that momentum in the long run. The process of self-development is a journey, not a destination.

PS: Since I am a FRIENDS fan, I cannot end the post without mentioning this scene:

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Just kidding, I wish you the Happiest Holidays and New Year! 🥂