Resolutions: Good Idea or Bad Idea?

The Oxford dictionary says that a resolution is “a firm decision to do or not to do something”. There’s a well-known custom to create a New Year’s resolution that begins on January 1st of the new year. This tradition has been around for thousands of years. According to the History.com resolutions began as a religious practice where promises were made to the gods. Now, most people make resolutions to focus on self-improvement. However, many people don’t end up keeping their resolutions. Why is this? In my opinion, people put too much pressure on themselves. Even the definition of the word resolution implies that there is no wiggle room, only a firm decision gets made. Either you do or you don’t. When we look at things through that lens it can easily backfire. The moment someone doesn’t live up to their resolution they tend to say forget it. It can be difficult for people to allow themselves compassion if they feel they’ve messed up.

Instead of making a resolution I suggest giving thought to the overall picture of what you want. Reframe your thinking. If the broad idea is to be healthier don’t make a resolution to work out five days a week, rather think about the ways you can be more active and pay better attention to your body. If we keep terms broad, we have a better chance of succeeding in the goals we set for ourselves. A resolution might mean someone immediately gives up once they’ve “failed”. Rather if we look at the new year as a chance to change things in a slow and steady way it can be long lasting.