Happy New Year, 2017! The start of something new, a time to reflect back on the year before, and a chance to rejoice or cry-whatever it is the year meant to you. When the waves of nostalgia (or relief) crash into mind about the previous year, 2016 can be defined by all sorts of names. Junior Justin Hull sees 2016 as “a time of recollection, learning from past mistakes, and looking toward future personal goals.” And so far, the running list of names that might define 2017 have already started-most notably the famous “New Year’s Resolutions.”

The majority of Americans vow to have a New Year’s Resolution to improve their lifestyle or outlook on life. However, only a slim, slim percentage of Americans actually stick to what they intend for themselves beginning January 1st.

A common theme is health. You know the classic “I’m going to go to the gym, exercise, eat more fruits and vegetables, give up sweets, and carbs, and all the delicious food that is so hard to resist.” Well, don’t.

Another common theme is to make a list of all the things you want to get done. You know the “I want to finally clean out the back closet, or recycle all of those old papers sitting in the downstairs, and just get more organized”. Good idea, but don’t.

Don’t get frustrated! There is a reason why you should not just jump right into doing all these great and self-improving things. And here’s why…

It is honestly too much to ask of yourself. Think about it. Studies have proven that it takes about a month to create a habit-add up the list of New Year’s Resolution’s you have created and bam, immediately it is overwhelming. So start small.

Senior Sarah Smith agrees that New Year’s Resolutions “are fun and challenging at the same time. I like to set goals and guidelines for myself to try to make the next year even better than the last!” Think of it as something to strive towards doing, and know that just because it is January 1st does not mean you have to make a resolution! Self-improvement can come at anytime and so can ambition and dreams. Why force yourself into doing something based on a date? Sure, January 1st is pretty special, but it is not a deadline and you do not need to make such specific goals.

Some of the easiest resolutions to stick to circulate around a general idea: something manageable that you know will be easily accomplished, but can expand upon as the year goes on. You constantly change throughout the year, so shouldn’t your resolution, too?

Make a resolution that suits you, not one that you try to suit yourself.