New Year's resolutions are undoubtedly hard to keep, yet most people continue to make them each year. However, life gets in the way, things don't go as planned and we tend to ditch our New Year's resolutions pretty early on in the year. In fact, according to statistics from a research done at the University of Scranton, only 8 percent of people reach their New Year's goals. Sad but true. New Year's resolutions do not last and most of us know that. So, in honor of 2017, here are 17 New Year's resolutions that everyone seems to make but nobody keeps. Enjoy!
1. Start Going to the Gym
What is probably the most common resolution is also probably the one most people give up on. People flood the gyms in the first couple weeks, but as the year progresses, they are nowhere to be found. But really, who could blame them? Why exercise when you could get extra fries, am I right?
2. Eating Healthier
On that note, eating healthier is another resolution that is commonly abandoned. Eating healthier could mean a diet or simply eating smaller portions, but again, who really wants to do either of those? Why get thinner when you could get more dinner? (Last rhyme, I promise.)
3. Studying More
For many, a new year and new semester is a good reason to hit the books. Alas, as the semester drags on, you find yourself sleeping through lecture and your books are collecting dust. "C's and D's get degrees" becomes an everyday motto.
4. Getting into a Relationship
You may think that a boyfriend or a girlfriend is a great resolution for the new year, and it's a popular resolution each year. However, a relationship is not something that you can just decide is going to happen, so this resolution is one that may not hold up for long.
5. Starting a New Hobby
'Yes, this is the year I'm going to learn how to play tennis!' you say to yourself as you buy a $100 tennis racquet from Dick's Sporting Goods. But then you realize that hey, tennis is pretty hard, and there's a lot of rules, and you're maybe not so good with rules, and it takes a lot of practice that you simply don't have the time for. Thank God you saved that pin on Pinterest on how to turn a racquet into a chalkboard. Don't forget to donate your tennis balls to the pups at the animal shelter.
6. Travel More
A new year means new stamps on your passport. That's what you think, at least, until you realize that flights to Europe are HOW MUCH?!
7. Make New Friends
But wait...this one means you have to be social, and actually talk to people and leave your house. The beginnings of friendships are always so awkward, too. So no, actually, no thank you. Friends are hard, and this seems like a little too much work right now.
8. Save Money
Many people envision seeing more dollar signs in their new year's future. But, as we all know, saving money is hard, especially if you're a shopaholic like myself. Who can save money when there are New Year's sales?
9. Volunteer More
Volunteering in your community is a great way to give back, and that is assumably why this is a popular resolution. However, volunteering can take a lot of time that many people don't have, which ends up with this resolution being unfortunately forgotten.
10. Be Less Stressed
You want this one to work, but God, you just have so much stuff to do. Then, you stress about your stress. It's a vicious cycle, really.
11. Be More Organized
Organizational skills are something that many seek to improve in the new year, whether it's cleaning up your desk, rearranging your space, or keeping more lists and schedules. Unfortunately, messes are inevitable, and eventually, this resolution will probably be given up on.
12. Read More Books
Expanding your knowledge by hitting up the library seems like a great idea, maybe you even invest in a library card. However, in the age of technology, we as humans are reading less and less books, so this resolution isn't necessarily a keeper.
13. Stop Procrastinating
Eh, maybe you'll get to this one next year?
14. Improve a Relationship with Someone
A new year seems like the perfect opportunity to mend wounds with people from your past, like your old best friend Becky from high school. What were you mad at her for, again? Oh right, she made out with Chad at that party when she knew that you were like, totally in love with him. Then she denied it. In that case, you know what? Never mind. F**k Becky. Becky can go to hell.
15. Get More Sleep
Now you think this is a resolution that you can really do, one that you can really get into. After all, who doesn't love more sleep? That's what you want to believe, but the next thing you know you're up at 3 a.m. on the "weird side" of YouTube, watching conspiracy theory videos, and you are 99 percent sure that cows are plotting to to wipe out the human race and become global overlords. Stay woke.
16. Be Kinder
This is a resolution that should not be hard for most people to do, yet we know that we are not always as kind as we should be to one another. This is definitely one to work on this new year!
17. Spend More Time with Family and Friends
As sad as this one sounds, this is another resolution that often gets left in the dust. With different schedules and being busy, planning extra time with family and friends can be stressful enough to make you just want to give up.
As you can see, resolutions aren't so simple. If you choose to make resolutions for 2017, more power to you! If you can actually keep them throughout the whole year, you really do deserve an award.
Happy New Year everyone!