Ditch the New Year’s Resolution This Year

The last year has been one that has affected many of us in more ways than one. We have felt anxiety, fear, uncertainty and maybe even hopelessness facing every obstacle 2020 has thrown at us. Rolling into 2021, of course we want to see more positivity and while 2020 threw a wrench and plans and goals, some of us may have already jumped to the opportunity to create our New Year’s Resolutions this year. While this tradition is one that we see practiced year in and year out, this year seems more than perfect to drop that tradition.

That sounds like a strong call for execution to a trend we’ve seen for years, even decades, but it’s worth looking into. Prior to 2020, 80% of New Year’s Resolutions didn’t make it past Valentine’s Day (Caprino, 2019). In the beginning, we get going and then somehow, someway, we fizzle out. To give some of those 80% of New Year’s Resolutions some credit, their failures are not because their too big or unattainable. Many of them fail because the lack of preparation to our mental wellness to sustain the change or handle the stressors related to the disappointments or discomfort of the change. This is why you can search thousands of articles with the title, “Mindset is Everything” and why you hear anyone from social media influencers to multi-million-dollar entrepreneurs regurgitating the same phrase. Its’s a cliché statement, but its cliché because its true.  

The call to ditch New Year’s Resolution isn’t an attack on goal setting or the expectation to achieve a goal. It’s more of a recognition to the mental and emotional strain that comes with these resolutions. January 1st is a fixed date, and that date may not fall into the appropriate timeline of someone working on their goals. Maybe they need an additional day to ensure their mental space is clear. Maybe they can start right away. What’s important for goal setting in the first place is the mental preparation to endure the challenges that may be presented. The idea of a fixed date at the beginning of the year is more so where the attack is directed, not an individual’s pursuit to achieving a goal. Furthermore, the reason this year is the perfect year to ditch New Year’s Resolutions is because last year was a lot. It is the perfect time to just take in this first month and recognize while we still see some setbacks as a result of last year, it is no longer 2020. Take the opening month of this new year to allow yourself grace and breathe. If and when you want to create a goal for yourself, do so. This shouldn’t be designated to New Year’s, but when you feel like you are ready and prepared. 

Caprino, K. (2019, December 29). The Top 3 Reasons New Year’s Resolutions Fail And How Yours Can Succeed. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/kathycaprino/2019/12/21/the-top-3-reasons-new-years-resolutions-fail-and-how-yours-can-succeed/?sh=603748ac6992