UNITED STATES—I used to be someone who set resolutions every single year, but with each year that I get older, I start to think, “Does it really matter?” The answer is no. A resolution is simply something that you’re telling yourself you’re going to do because a New Year has ushered in upon us. We already know some of the big ones, losing weight, eating healthy, saving money, paying off debt, spending more time with family, yada yada.
You sometimes don’t hear the unconventional ones like being nicer to people, not spending so much time on the cellphone, stopping usage of social media, reading more, cooking meals at home, and eating out less, spending less money, being more positive, finding ways to give back. A lot of resolutions are geared towards having some sort of transformation, and I don’t think you always have to do that. Just because January 1 rolls around doesn’t mean you have to stop a habit or begin a new habit, it is simply a day, so you can begin a resolution when you find it best suits you.
I will give you a perfect example, in October 2022 I gave up soda/pop. It is now January 2025, and more than two years plus, I have NOT had a single drop of it. Guess what? I don’t miss it, and I have no intention of indulging in it ever again. I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that at times the temptation is there, but my ability to go so long without it has placed me in a position that I would feel so guilty if I indulged it would beat me up on a psychological level.
With that said, I’m not knocking anyone who has plans to start a resolution or a slew of resolutions for the New Year. You are going to have moments where you fall off the wagon, that doesn’t mean you just throw in the towel for your resolution. You can get back on that horse and try again. Yes, you are going to have hiccups along the way as you try to curb a bad habit. I think the stopping a bad habit is harder because it is something that has become a norm for you. Whenever behavior that is a norm is rattled to a degree it takes time for that brain of yours to kick into gear what is actually unfolding in front of your eyes.
Don’t be too harsh on yourself if you fall off the wagon. Mistakes happen, but it’s not the end of the world, you had some sugar one day, so what, but you’ve gone six days without any sugar. The fact that you went six days without any sugar is a successful accomplishment and you should be commended for that. With that said, the start of a new habit, one that is to help you on the positive side can be tough as well because it is something foreign. You haven’t done it before so you have to make it something routine. For example, if you’re about to start exercising on a regular basis, you do want to carve out a day and time where it becomes consistent for you.
Do your daily exercise at the exact same time. If you make a schedule that becomes second nature that really helps the situation to a point that the habit becomes natural for you which is exactly what you want it to be. Another thing is do not allow people to mess with your mood or mindset. They might find what you’re doing as silly, but guess what who cares what they think. Don’t focus on the outside noise, focus on what it is that you want to accomplish because if you’re truly committed to the goal, I guarantee you can make it happen. Maybe don’t consider it a New Year’s Resolution, consider it a lifestyle change.
Written By Jason Jones
