As the new year approaches, many of our friends and family post or talk about what they plan to do for their "New Years Resolution". To be quite honest with you I think they are empty promises. Many times people expect the new year to be this redo button so they can have better lives, but just because a new number rolls around does not mean anything life changing.

1. Exercising more

This is the least unoriginal new years resolution that exists. Every year a huge number of people make this resolution and buy memberships to gyms. Most people stick to this for maybe a month if they are lucky. The clutter caused in the gym is unreal in the month of January. I am all for people getting in shape and being healthy, but a new year does not mean you will suddenly become more committed to being healthy.

2. Eat healthier

This new years resolution is almost as common as the first one. People suddenly commit to eating smaller portions or low calories. Or they just look up impossible diets on Pinterest. As I said before, I am on board for people bettering themselves, but I think that change does not simply come with the new years.

3. Stop procrastinating

Many habits we want to break come with time and practice. Going cold turkey at the beginning of the year is more likely to fail. It's not good to procrastinate, but just one day deciding to change your ways is likely to fail.

4. Give up ________

A lot of people during the new year try to give something up as their resolution, such as, chocolate, junk food, or smoking, drinking, or something you would give up for Lent. Going cold turkey does not work often.

5. Find a significant other

This New Year Resolution personally drives me crazy. Relationships are built and do not have starting dates and expiration dates set in stone. You should not go out and find a partner just because you think you need one. The best relationships are formed when you aren't looking for them. They just kind of happen. Forcing a relationship to work just to have a New Year Resolution just does not work.

6. Start saving money

I have tried this one many times. Unless you have a feasible plan, it does not work. I have tried fades like putting pennies in a jar based on the number of the day within the year, but it really does not work. The only way to improve this resolution is to learn to budget or make a game plan to organize your money.

7. Become more _________

This resolution can work and it also cannot work. Some people say they want to become more handsome or more sociable. Some of these things are achievable, but personality is harder to change than skills.

8. Write in a journal everyday

Writing in a journal everyday is really difficult unless you are trying to document something so specific, like medication, devotionals, or specific responsibilities that need to be traceable.

If you want anything to change in your life, you actually have to do it. It does not have to be around new years. You can change whenever you are ready and comfortable to do so. Set goals for yourself throughout the years, instead of deciding irrationally for a new years resolution.