This year I resolve not to resolve.

Why?

This may seem like a contradiction--"resolving not to resolve"--but the truth is, resolutions only turn out to be major disappointments and huge letdowns.

Every year, millions of people make New Year’s resolutions on the 1st of January; whether it’s resolving to lose weight, quit a bad habit, or get into a successful relationship. However, most people fail to follow through. In fact, according to statistics, about 8% of people who make resolutions actually stick to them (Statistic Brain Research Institute). This bleak statistic only proves that resolutions are quite pointless. Instead of making a resolution that is most likely going to be forgotten or something you're going to cheat on, we should make goals that aren’t “New Year’s resolutions” because that only sets us up for failure that will eventually lower our self-esteem or ultimately cause us to lose all hope in our ability to obtain success in our aspirations. A New Year’s resolution may solely be something that makes us feel better in the moment, almost like a second chance, but once we lose the will to hold to the resolution, it only brings a sense of failure upon ourselves. It’s as if we intentionally throw ourselves into the pit of failure again and again every year, as if we will be a completely different person on January 1^st than we were on December 31^st, and some of us even fool ourselves into believing this blissful fantasy.

Though there are some of those lucky people who have the willpower to stick to their resolutions, the majority of us do not. Personally, I know that every time I make a resolution to do something, it usually doesn't happen and I feel as though I lost or something. I feel like I failed. So instead of making a "New Year's resolution," make little goals throughout the year that are attainable, and pursue those instead. Do something that is logical that you can stick to and not stray away from. Not only will this lessen the load and make life less strenuous, but if you fail one goal you can keep trying again without the repercussions of it being a New Year's resolution--then there is really no second chance and this will only make you glum by the end of the year.

So try that new diet or exercising plan, kick that bad habit or nervous tick, or try to succeed better in school or in a new relationship. Whatever it may be, do it because it's a goal you are trying to attain throughout the year and not because it's a New Year's resolution. Even have a friend join you and try this new goal together; it's always more fun and a lot easier when you have a buddy at your side for moral support. Just make sure to do it without it being a resolution that, if you break, you'll feel bad about yourself because of it. The goal should make your life better, not make you feel like a failure and as though you are stuck in the routine of the previous year.

Also, New Year's resolutions are harmful because they allow you throughout the year to continue in bad habits or behaviors because you believe that it'll be okay and you can just easily fix it with a New Year's resolution the next year. This type of mindset only reveals the lack of commitment or dedication because if you really had the motivation or desire to make a change within yourself or your life, you would do it immediately and not wait until the new year. Leaving ourselves this loophole to commit poor actions is unhealthy and a bad idea.

New Year's resolutions do not in any way compensate for our bad actions and will not reverse any mistakes we made in the past. Most people look to this as their comfort because it currently gives them hope and instant gratification with themselves, but it only leads to failure if they don't follow through. And why would they? If they were serious about changing they wouldn't have waited until January 1st but would have started to work on themselves immediately. This arbitrary date only provides an excuse for when we eventually surrender to our weaknesses or lack of discipline and renounce our goal to become better.

Therefore, this year I resolve not to make a New Year's resolution.

What about you?

You don't need to make a New Year's resolution to set goals for yourself.

Resolve not to resolve.

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Happy New Years!