As 2024 comes to a close and 2025 is welcomed in, many people, young and old, embrace the opportunity for a fresh start. Whether aiming to be healthier, smarter, or kinder, people set goals, or resolutions, for themselves to achieve better versions of him or herself. For example, many adults resolve to lose weight, committing to go to the gym everyday after work, and to start a new diet. In early January, gyms are bustling with activity, but as the weeks progress many begin to lose sight of their goals. So, why are resolutions so hard to stick to, and how can one stay committed to achieving them throughout the year? 

Approximately 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail, even though people are clearly motivated to make them. One significant reason for this is that many resolutions are overly ambitious and unrealistic. These dramatic goals call for equally dramatic change which is often unsustainable. For instance, many seek to completely cut out use of social media. While seemingly as easy as clicking delete, for many this is just unattainable. In today’s world, social media is deeply integrated into daily life, connecting, teaching, and entertaining people all over the world. Abruptly cutting it out entirely is just impractical, because anyone would be drawn back to all the internet has to offer. Others try to achieve their goals as quickly as possible, rather than building lasting progress. For example, many may resolve to lose weight quickly, and may try a new, yet unfulfilling diet that will lead them to revert to old habits and make no progress. In conclusion, for many, their resolutions do not last because they are biting off more than they can chew, or simply are not committed to the long run. 

So, what is the best way to set, pursue, and achieve New Year’s resolutions for 2025? Start by focusing on the big picture, then break it down into smaller, more achievable goals. For example, instead of vowing to all together eliminate social media, aim to limit usage to under an hour a day. Or, for a goal like weight loss, rather than focusing on rapidly shedding pounds, set a goal to walk 10,000 steps daily, or integrate a vegetable into each meal. To then make these new behaviors stick, make sure to replace bad habits with new rewarding alternatives. Maybe instead of doom scrolling before bed, read a chapter of a book. Or, swap binge watching TV shows with a podcast and a walk. Gradually, these small, positive changes towards smaller goals will help to progress towards the overarching improvements one may seek. These changes to how one views relations will help to succeed in theirs in this New Year, and beyond. 

After hearing this advice, Coco Prohm, a sophomore, stated, “My resolutions in 2024 are to improve in my sports. I know that it is usually difficult to stay motivated, so I think this year I will focus on building habits that will help me improve, rather than just saying ‘I want to be better.”’ And senior Lily McCarthy discussed her big goal for 2025 saying, “One of my resolutions for 2025 is to spend more time outside, and something I plan on doing to do this is to get out and walk my dog every night if time allows.”