The new year always brings a new attitude. This year is the year we all think that we’re going to achieve something and finally cross off those New Year’s resolutions. But let’s face the facts… our resolutions rarely end up lasting past January. If you’ve already given up on your resolutions, you can take comfort in knowing that you’re not alone. If you’re still working on yours, props to you! Don’t fall into temptation just yet though. Here’s some typical ways that our expected New Year’s resolutions often get sidetracked.
The Resolution: I’m going to get fit!
Expectation: Going to the gym every day with perfect hair, flawlessly conquering the treadmill and all the scary-looking weight machines, and attending group fitness classes.
Reality: Showing up at Student Recreation & Fitness Center and realizing how crowded it is, and then spending 15 minutes on the treadmill before you get out of breath and decide to go home and watch Netflix.
Resolution: I’m going to eat healthy!
Expectation: Removing meat from your diet, only shopping for organic and locally grown foods, getting into quinoa and herbal teas, constantly making smoothies and slowly trying vegan foods.
Reality: Making a salad for lunch and rewarding that good behavior by getting a burger for dinner.
The Resolution: I’m going to turn all my work in on time and be a good student!
Expectation: Keeping up with your to-do lists, maintaining an organized binder of notes, always participating in discussion, doing your papers on time and studying a week in advance.
Reality: Opening up e-Learning to check what your assignments are, and then getting sidetracked by Facebook and Tumblr for the next two hours.
The Resolution: I’m going to be super organized!
Expectation: Cleaning your room daily, bringing out the vacuum and mop every week, color coding your closet and getting really cute room décor so that your desk can finally look like that Pinterest board.
Reality: The dishes start to pile up in the sink as you search on Etsy for a cute wall hanging, only to be totally shocked at the expensive price.
The Resolution: I’m going to go out more and make new friends!
Expectation: Meeting new people with similar interests in class, having something cool to do every weekend and getting awesome Snapchat stories and Instagram posts.
Reality: When you first try to organize a girls’ night out, three of your friends cancel at the last minute, one of them falls asleep, and then you realize you don’t have any cash.
The Resolution: I’m not going to get hung up over my love life this year!
Expectation: Casually flirting with a bunch of different people, no major attachments, focusing on yourself instead of finding “the one” and taking time to enjoy meeting different people.
Reality: When your crush from last semester walks into your first lecture, you instantly swoon over his perfect hair and then start planning your wedding.
Hopefully if you haven’t given up your resolutions, this list hasn’t discouraged you. And if you’ve already fallen through, then don’t worry because you’re in very good company. There’s no reason why you can’t restart your goals at any point during the year!