New Year’s resolutions. Most of us probably made them this January. You know – this year you want to lose weight; eat better and exercise more. You need to manage your money more sensibly. You’re determined to ring your mum more often than once a month, and this year it’s not only going to be when you want something.
However, a recent study found that although nearly half of us admit to making some form of New Year’s resolution, only 8% of them stick. “Why?” I hear you cry. “Why can’t I make myself go on a jog more than twice before I think I must have lost about a stone from all that running, throw away the sports bra and start eating my body weight in Curly Wurlies?!”
I hear you. And, more than understanding your plight, I’m here to suggest a solution: January is not the time for making such rash decisions about how to better yourself. February, however, could well be the answer to all your prayers. Here are my reasons why Feb is the time for resolutions – not December 31st.
1. Avoid Festive Flighty-ness
Think about it. You make New Year’s resolutions directly after Christmas. You’ve just gone through at least a month’s worth of parties, binge eating Quality Streets, family arguments, too much champagne and the worst TV you’ve watched all year. Following all that trauma, does it really sound like anyone is in a sound state of mind to decide to change their lives? No. Wait until the effects of the festive period have worn off, folks. By February, you should be just about sane enough to think clearly again.
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2.Don’t Believe The Hype
So many people get caught up in the hype of making resolutions. All your friends are starting to eat healthy this term, so you will too. It’s a new year so you can totally stop smoking overnight, right? #newyearnewme! Wrong. Doing things because everyone else is never works. Waiting until February, when all your friends have – statistically – probably failed, and you’ll be free to make your own resolutions. Ones you might actually stick to.
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3.January Is The WORST
Seriously, January is a really, really bad month. It’s cold. It gets dark at half four every “evening”. Want to go for a run after Uni? Sorry, it’s pitch black, freezing and probably raining too. Off on a night out? Your hair will be ruined by the wind and you’ll probably catch pneumonia walking to the taxi. If you have any money left to pay for a taxi after all those presents you foolishly bought at Christmas, that is. A month this awful is made to test your will power – and for 92% of you, January will win.
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4.February is the BEST
Okay, for a lot of people February is just a continuation of miserable January. Think again! This month is not only the shortest of the year – so you only have to stick to your resolution for 28 measly days before you can say you’ve lasted a whole month – it also has some of the best things in it. Pancake day? Check. Reading week? Check. Valentine’s Day? Check. February is handing you life’s best things on a plate – sleep, Nutella and either a romantic night with a loved one or a great excuse for a girls’ night out. This, my friends, is the time to make a change, and February will reward you every step of the way.
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5. You Can Feed Off The Failure Of Others
As I mentioned earlier, unless your friends and family are incredibly annoying people who do everything right, chances are they will have abandoned their resolutions by now. You might think this means you’re less likely to succeed; without the solidarity and moral support of your peers. Think again! The more people who have given up, the less people you have to compare yourself to. You’ve already won, just by trying at all. Everybody likes a winner, and you’ll feel great enough to carry on with your resolve far beyond your pals’ attempts. Also, the gym will be way quieter. Less people to watch you fall off the treadmill is always a good thing.
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6. If At First You Don’t Succeed
Like it or not, New Year’s resolutions don’t pan out the way everyone expects them too – or maybe you just didn’t bother to make any in the first place. Either way, February offers a second chance to actually stick to your life changes, or decide to make some afresh – and at a much better time to do so!