More than Promises: Why New Year's Resolutions Matter

Hey there, everyone. Brendan here, reveling in all that a new year brings and, as usual, waxing philosophical about things! Today I wanted to discuss a bit about New Year's resolutions, one of the most ubiquitous parts about January apart from overcast and bad movies. There's been something of a rebellion against the concept in recent years, and they're more widely known for not being kept than anything else, but there are actually reasons to keep to those pesky resolutions.

A desire for change is one of the most fundamental aspects of the human condition, after all, and how can it be fulfilled except through action? With this blog, then, I hope to point out a few reasons why sticking to your resolutions is more beneficial than you might think, and a few tips to help keep those plans fresh and realistic!

Why These Things Still Matter

In essence, a resolution is a promise to yourself, is it not? Keeping it can be fulfilling in aspects beyond the improvement of the action itself, such as sobriety or a desire to lose weight. The sheer act of completing the task can help bolster confidence and provide a better sense of self. The last few years have also hosted a significant change in attitudes toward the nature of these resolutions. There has been a significant increase in people utilizing the annual transition as a time to better their mental health; speaking from personal experience, I can say that's an aspect well worth the focus!

Accomplishing the goals of a resolution also activate the brain's reward system, releasing dopamine—a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of accomplishment and happiness. Furthermore, following through on resolutions often involves building healthier habits, which can reduce stress and promote a more positive outlook on life. The process of setting, working toward, and completing goals can also improve focus, discipline, and resilience, providing a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Falling Out of Favor

I will admit that New Year's resolutions are no longer as in vogue as they used to be, and though I think they have their uses, I do find some of the reasoning fascinating. Perhaps the greatest is simple cynicism. Studies showing low success rates for resolutions (with many abandoned by February) have contributed to skepticism about their value. 

Additionally, many people have recognized that resolutions often involve setting overly ambitious or vague goals, which can lead to frustration and feelings of failure when they aren't achieved. This has prompted a move toward more flexible and forgiving approaches to self-improvement. Though these perspectives have their merits, I believe that the framework of resolutions is still valid, especially for those who need the extra push of the calendar rolling over to get started. These issues aren't inherent to resolutions, and can be overcome if you prepare. Speaking of which...

How to Succeed In Resolutions (Because You Were Trying)

Any significant change in yourself will require commitment, and though resolutions are often created with an end goal in mind, many of them fall apart because of the lack of planning and realistic goal-setting. As this article from the Minnesota Postilluminates, making your goals more specific and having a plan for achieving them will help the shelf life of your resolutions and prevent that mid-January slump.As part of your strategy, I recommend using what's called the SMART system:

• Specific

• Measurable

• Achievable

• Realistic

• Timely 

Being vague or unrealistic leaves the door open for excuses or other “outs” from your goals, while keeping them measurable and reasonable helps you create a mental path toward success! Researchers have even developed a term for the excitement that often comes in late December as we see the transitional power of a new year:the fresh start effect. It can inspire grand visions of the future where all of one's problems are resolved, but this is part of the problem. Simply using that moment and not being honest with yourself about how you want to handle your resolution and what your plan is to accomplish it only makes a positive outcome more difficult to achieve.

I hope you're all having a fantastic new year so far! If you're looking for a way to keep yourself ready for whatever 2025 has to offer, check out our Amazon page or our store page here at nakee.co and get yourself some delicious spreads to accompany any meal and any adventure! See you all next week, and thanks for all your support. This is Brendan, signing off for now.