Why is it that every year we decide to drastically change something — or many things — about our lives? Have you ever noticed that almost every year our resolutions are the same resolutions we made the previous year? If making New Year’s resolutions really helped us achieve our goals, shouldn’t they change every year, as things are “checked off” our lists? Most of us make similar New Year’s resolutions, though. And most of us make these similar resolutions every year. Because we’re constantly setting these goals and then re-setting them, it seems appropriate to consider these resolutions as completely and utterly failed.
1) To lose weight/exercise more because after all the holiday food and that New Year’s party you don’t remember, running a couple miles will be a breeze.
2) To stop drinking coffee because it’s addicting. And you think winter term will be warm, happy and lovely without it?
3) To recycle more/use less plastic products because it’s bad for the environment. And you’re going to remember to actually bring your reusable bag to the grocery store from now on.
4) To stop going out on Thursday nights even though everyone intentionally makes their Fridays easy so they can go out.
5) To go to every class so you don’t waste a single dollar of your education. Because you’d rather sit in class with your eyes closed than sleep at home.
6) To stop eating out/to shop cheaply because we have all the ingredients and skills and time to feed ourselves like royalty, right?
7) To volunteer more because a volunteer job will always be our first pick over a well-paying one.
8) To stop indulging in holiday food even though your mom sent you home with a month’s supply of leftovers.
9) To quit drinking/smoking despite the fact that people on campus seem to intentionally walk in front of you so that their smoke trail swooshes into your face.
10) To stop wasting time online even though everyone knows funny YouTube videos or chats with friends offer a minute or two of joy during long study nights.