Are new year resolutions bad? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

New Years Resolutions Lists Are Actually Setting You Up For Failure And I’m Not Into That

New year, same me.

30
https://unsplash.com/photos/_H0siQHdMM4
@seteales

Its that time of year once again ladies and gentlemen! The time where we look back at what we have accomplished, or what we have not accomplished, this year and find ourselves tallying up all of the things that we feel we need to work on, continue working on or just cry about and realize that we are never going to work on (but put it on our list because it makes us feel better). If any of this sounds familiar to you then you might be working on your New Year's resolutions list.

Like many of you, I can not tell recall how many of these lists I've made over the years and how many times I thought going into the new year I would be this new transformed person because I was definitely going to get my shit together this coming new year. Queue the laughing track. No instead, right around mid-February, I wake up and realize that I've missed going to the gym for the last three weeks and almost always find myself forgetting to purge all of the things I'd said I'd purge because well I have a deep attachment to my ungodly amount of comfy T's... This is only some of the lighter things I said I'd be fixing on my resolutions list, the rest I am not going to allow myself to even dip back into, mostly because it makes me sad. And that is why I am so over making resolution lists each and every year.

Feeling sad, feeling like you've disappointed yourself is just not a healthy way to go into the new year. I know when you start off the year technically you are not starting it off upset or in a funk, but with these ridiculous lists you are just setting yourself up for disappointment. You remind yourself each time how you failed the previous years' list and how it that old failure you won't be this new you. When we all know when that one to two-month spot comes around you'll just probably utter to yourself how there is always next year to start again. Even if you make the argument that you can start the year off with a list that isn't so crazy, then you'll just say that you didn't challenge yourself enough and then you'll start tacking on more and more things to do. It's a vicious cycle of negativity that you seriously don't need in your life.

So, instead of starting off the new year with an unrealistic goals list or a subpar list of things to do, start a new yearly tradition for yourself.

Accepting the person that you are, go into the New Year and rock yourself. You don't need to set a list of goals to achieve anything spectacular because of all you need to do is believe in who you are and what you can do.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

1475
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

894
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

200073
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

20797
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments