This year, I wanted to write in my journal every day. It is now the 23rd of January, and I have just begun. I felt like a massive failure. Something so simple, like planking every morning and journaling every night, still cannot be achieved. What made me think everything would change when I passed into 2025? Twelve months is not that much time to change yourself. However, I try not to feel like a failure again and again. Instead, remind yourself the world does not end on the 31st and start on the 1st, you have twelve whole months to change.
According to Anna Fleck’s Statista article, 21% of people wanted to save more money and 19% want to eat healthier. However, a whopping 43% opted out of even making a resolution. What is this raging cynicism? Why do we all have no faith in ourselves anymore? Richard Batts with Ohio State University claims only 9% of people who make resolutions actually complete them. What does this tell us?
Your resolution has to actually be achievable. If you are living at home, “eating healthier” is not feasible when you are not the one grocery shopping. However, you could always combine saving money and healthy eating with choosing a non-food based venue to hang out with friends. It is all about making realistic resolutions that are clear and concise. Do not pick anything unrealistic. Such as, saying you will exercise an hour everyday after practice when you have decided to take four AP classes.
As for my planking and journaling, journaling has been achieved (four days strong!). However, you cannot ask me to plan. Because I am already sore from my extracurriculars, continuing to exercise when I get home is quite an ask on my sleep-deprived self. To summarize, google your resolution ideas. Therefore, instead of sticking a resolution to your bathroom mirror, analyze how to develop the resolution to suit your lifestyle.