I can proudly say that in the 20 years that I have been alive, I have never successfully completed a New Year Resolution. In fact, the best I did was a week, maybe 2 tops on any resolution. I’m definitely not alone with this, either. You can tell by the crowds at the gym the first week versus the third week of January and the confessionary posts on Facebook. Are resolutions really all they’re cracked up to be?

Personally, I think resolutions are not as effective as some people think they are. I think people should be trying to do what’s best for themselves all year long. Yes, life gets in the way, but go to the gym twice a week, make extra time for family and friends, give up candy for 3 days a week. Whatever makes you happy or feel better about yourself, you should do it. Whether it’s the first week of January or the last week of September, work on being a better you, for you.

As many of us have seen in the past, cutting things off cold turkey does not always work for people. If it works for you, you’re lucky. Instead of cutting things completely out of our lives, only allow yourself a certain amount of whatever it is. Self-control is an important trait to have, so work on it. This gives you a chance to break from your routine and spoil yourself once or twice a week. What could be better than that?

The thing I don’t understand about New Year Resolutions is this: if something makes us happy or feel good, why don’t we put more effort into it every other day of the year? If it’s that important to you, you can find a way to accomplish it without it being the first of the year. No, changing your ways is not an easy task, believe me, I get it. But, it is possible, and anyone can do it with enough motivation. Reward yourself, treat yourself, whatever it takes. Know that in the end, this simple change could make you better in so many ways. Who knows, maybe your resolution will go better without the added pressure of everyone else around you doing the same thing.

Though I’ve never completed a New Year Resolution, I have made positive changes in my life many times. I’ve stopped drinking coffee everyday which at one point seemed impossible to me, started going to the gym whenever I can, and started making healthier food choices. All at different points of the year, and none right after New Year’s. I think it’s easier this way, because you’re actually motivated to make these choices work in your life instead of just playing along because you feel like you have to. It’s gone well for me so far, maybe it will for you, too. You never know until you try. Here’s to New You Resolutions, not New Year Resolutions.