At the end of every December, it seems as though everyone I know and everyone I don’t know on social media has an extensive list of resolutions for the new year. While I admire and envy those who follow through with them, I personally find resolutions to be simply overwhelming and unrealistic. I have never personally understood why it was normalized that when a new year began, people would all of a sudden immediately be able to make these transformative changes to their lives. This narrative has become so pushed onto people, inevitably leading to self disappointment and dejection.
I initially struggled with not being able to immediately implement my own personal resolutions, but I came to the realization that I can make the changes I want in my life within my own timeline. Real and tangible change cannot be rushed, which often happens with New Year’s Resolutions. I have personally seen family members and friends fail to uphold a resolution within the first weeks of the year and give it up altogether out of defeat. However, I believe it is important to remember that there will be ebbs and flows when trying to implement anything new into a lifestyle, so full commitment cannot be rushed.
Despite my negative outlook so far, I want to clear up that I think having goals for a new year is amazing and productive, but the way the media has warped resolutions is harmful. The New Year is a time for new beginnings and a fresh start, but I also think the best changes must be naturally executed. To me, this is seen in implementing the things I want to change in my life little by little. If I find that the change is working for me and makes me happy, dedicating more of my time to it is how I commit.
I think it is important to listen to your own judgment and trust it, because if your mind or body is telling you something is not serving you the way it should be, it is not right. I know I am personally extremely influenced by social media, and frequently get the urge to completely change my life overnight, but I try to stay grounded and remember that what I see online is not the full story and may not work for me, even if it worked for another person. Being able to have a more realistic outlook on my personal life and goals has allowed me to not only stay in control of my life but also take some pressure off of me.
I used to spend so much time and effort stressing out about everything I wanted to change, but some of those things have grown to be some of my favorite parts about myself. Being able to implement change privately and purely for yourself has great value that is often overlooked due to social media. Apps like TikTok have become platforms where people are extremely honest about their lives, which can lead others to feeling less than. It can be discouraging to see other people’s progress, especially when the pace may be faster than yours. So, I think it would be extremely beneficial and healing if we as a society were able to encourage personal growth at unique paces.
“Apps like TikTok have become platforms where people are extremely honest about their lives, which can lead others to feeling less than. It can be discouraging to see other people’s progress, especially when the pace may be faster than yours.”
Kassidy Leem
New Year’s Resolutions may definitely work for some, but I think it is much more productive and effective to encourage change at each person’s own pace. You do not have to wait for the start of a new year to make the changes you have always wanted to see in your life!