My New Year’s Resolutions for 2021

Tomorrow is 2021. I have no idea what next year will bring, but I’m excited about it nonetheless. I think that 2020 is going to be looked back on as the beginning of a new era, but I don’t want to speculate on the future right now. Instead, I want to talk about New Year’s Resolutions.

New Year’s Resolutions are important. One study found that forty-six percent of participants who made common New Year’s resolutions (e.g., weight loss, exercise programs, quitting smoking) were likely to succeed, ten times as among those deciding to make life changes at other times of the year. Given this, it seems that New Year’s Resolutions are more important than other promises. Perhaps there’s something special about January 1^st. A ton of cultures and religions all over the world have made oaths and promises at the beginning of the year. Whether it be the Peacock Vow of medieval Europe, the Watchnight Mass of certain Christian groups, or the Rosh Hashanah of Judaism, the spirit of self-improvement features in all of these traditions.

The best way to keep your New Year’s Resolutions is to make achievable ones. Finder.com.au found that thirty-five percent of their participants who failed to keep their resolutions did so because they had unrealistic goals. Another ten percent of respondents also made too many resolutions for them to follow. You know your limitations. If you aren’t sure you can do something, don’t force yourself to do it. Otherwise, you’ll get invested in it and get discouraged. That said, you don’t want to make your goal too modest. If it’s not big enough, then you won’t feel motivated to get up and do it.

Another key tip for those looking to make progress is to remember what you’re doing. Twenty-three percent of the participants of that Finder program simply forgot about their promises, and thirty-three percent of them didn’t keep track of their progress! It’s always good to have a journal for these things. You should also make a to-do list at the start of each day. I know from experience that to-do lists are rewarding in themselves. Checking off those boxes gives you a physical reminder that you accomplished something. Just start with a few simple items, and you’ll be set for the day!

Finally, find out why you are setting a certain goal. If you are making your New Year’s Resolution out of a sense of self-hatred or a strong passion at that moment, it’ll be harder to keep.

For 2021, I will make the following New Year’s Resolutions I’m going to try:

• Spending an hour per day reading a book. As I stated in an earlier blog post, I have so many books that I haven’t read them all. I need to make sure I devote much more time to them than I already have.
• Spending an hour per day writing. Besides my blogging, I mean. My mother and I have wanted to write a book together, but I haven’t set aside the time. Setting aside an hour a day should be enough to get started.
• Praying the Rosary every day. While I say prayers regularly, I feel I don’t devote enough time to God. The Rosary is one of the most powerful prayers one can make, so praying it will enhance my spiritual life.
• Losing more weight. What can I say? I still need to lose the Freshman 15 that I gained in college. I’ve been researching some dieting and exercise tips that I’ll share at a later date.

What are you going to promise? List your New Year’s Resolutions below in the comments. Have a Happy New Year!