New Year’s Resolutions: A Catalyst for Change or a Recipe for Disappointment?

At the start of many new years, we often would form at least one resolution: “a firm decision to do or not to do something” for the year. Arguably, it has been suggested by some of my peers that participating in this tradition is too much pressure on oneself. On the flip side, some people thoroughly enjoy resolutions and challenging themselves. Whether you like resolutions or not, is it something we should be condoning in society as a whole? Are New Year’s resolutions helpful or harmful?

Resolutions and the Fear of Failure

For certain mental health issues, this pressure to succeed in a task might be too much (even if the task is simple) due to the pressure, expectation, and nature of it. Keep in mind that Studies Show 91 Percent of Us Won’t Achieve Our New Year’s Resolutions. Resolutions have a unique effect on each person. It is easily understandable that they may not be suitable for everyone to adopt this tradition or be expected to. However, I think it is important to not fear failure and to be more accepting of it. If you fail or a friend fails, show them or yourself it is okay and the positives that can come from it.

Resolutions: Helpful or Harmful?

I came up with a few things I wanted to achieve in the new year which I am going to share: Drink more water, learn more Italian, and blog more. This may seem like some very typical goals you would expect from someone making New Year’s resolutions. I don’t find resolutions like these at the start of the new year to affect my mental health negatively. Maybe I am one of very few, but I would like to share my mind’s thinking and how resolutions could also be seen as a positive thing. As we know, achieving our resolution is a goal that is important to us and we can (possibly) gain a sense of accomplishment from it. For the other 9% that keep their resolutions, how are you doing? Do you feel you would be better off without this tradition of creating New Year’s resolutions?

The Power of Small Resolutions

I resolve to learn more Italian next year. Learning takes time, and I don’t expect to be fluent overnight. There is value in small achievements, like learning 15 new Italian words instead of 5, even if they seem insignificant. Smaller goals may lead to greater achievement and happiness. I’ve sometimes set overly ambitious goals, which can lead to disappointment. I’m learning to embrace failure as a valuable learning experience. New Year’s resolutions, whether helpful or harmful, are a tradition I still consider useful for self-improvement. It’s important to remember that we’re human, and our goals may evolve over time. We may discover new passions or realize that certain aspirations no longer align with our values.

The Impact of Resolutions on Mental Wellbeing

At the heart of the New Year’s tradition lies the resolution – a firm commitment to personal improvement. While many embrace this opportunity for self-growth, it’s crucial to acknowledge the potential for negative impacts on mental well-being. The pressure to achieve ambitious goals, often coupled with unrealistic expectations, can create undue stress and anxiety. This is particularly true for individuals struggling with mental health challenges, where the inherent pressure of a resolution can exacerbate existing difficulties. This pressure to succeed, even in seemingly minor tasks, can trigger feelings of inadequacy and failure. While resolutions can serve as a valuable tool for personal growth and motivation, it’s essential to approach them with a mindful and compassionate attitude.

“My New Year’s resolution is to stop pretending that I have any control over my life.”

– Unknown

Like this read? Check out Relationship with Yourself: A Guide to Cultivating Mental Well-being to explore the many other ways to improve your relationship with yourself.
Brought to you by The Human Experience.