Every year on Dec. 31, millions of people gather and stay up until midnight to celebrate the New Year. With doing so, many either eat 12 grapes under a table or throw lentils on themselves for luck in hopes to manifest what they want in every month of the new year. Others set resolutions that they aim to accomplish. Yet, how many resolutions actually get accomplished?
New Year’s traditions are generally very strange. I don’t understand why people make loud noises at midnight to banish negativity from the new year, carry an empty suitcase around for good travels or specific colored underwear to bring wealth and love into your life. Resolutions confuse me the same way. Why set something for yourself if it’s going to be abandoned the next day?
When thought about, resolutions seem great, having a goal to work towards in life, that when accomplished will give not only pride but a sense of confidence. According to 22 News, the top three resolutions in the world are to “Exercise more, save more money, and to eat healthier.” However, the first week has passed into January and almost everyone disappears from gyms, clothing stores become flooded and many more are in line for fast food franchises.
In an article from Baylor College of Medicine, they state that “88 percent of people who set New Year resolutions fail them within the first two weeks.”
This really isn’t all surprising. Even when I set goals for myself, I always tend to fail, like all the rest. (My newest, to stop eating fast food frequently. Ironically, I had In-N-Out the next day.)
Nowadays, because of how modern the world has become, we’re all so used to taking the easy route that we don’t do anything beneficial for ourselves anymore. No one strives for personal growth; no one wants change within.
Which, in this sense, shows how predictable and how lethargic the human race can be.
In an article from The Atlantic, they proposed an interesting idea: “To make your New Year’s promise stick this year, consider breaking it before you even get started.”
Which means, if you want to quit spending money on useless things, buy something that day that has utter to no use. Spend your money before the resolution is even set, so that it fulfills you enough to where you don’t have to anymore.
That made me consider just exactly how that reverse psychology can work in this topic. However, it makes so much sense. Intending to fail makes an average human strive to prove themselves wrong. The real reason why people give up on their goals is their mind. Thinking of failing after making the commitment sets many up for failure, rather than thinking you’re going to fail and try to prove yourself wrong.
With that being said, your mind is the only thing stopping you from achieving your goals for 2026. If you aren’t part of the 12%, I say strive for what you want; you will eventually get it. The other 88%, try to knock yourself back on track; prove yourself wrong. I know I will.
