As another year is upon us, it is very common for people to set a list of goals for the new year. It is also very common for people to fall short of these goals, thus presenting a love/hate relationship with New Year’s resolutions.
Regardless of whether you take the new year as a reset button or not, there is a lot that can be said about those who do and the aftermath that follows them on their journey this year.
Setting goals for yourself can sometimes be tricky, especially when planning ahead for the entire new year approaching. Setting goals can also allow you to dive deep into your inner consciousness and reflect on what you could do better at, should do better at or need to do better at.
Arguably, sticking to certain goals, whatever they might be, for the entirety of the year is not for the weak and requires a very dedicated person.
Goals can range from starting a new gym routine or just getting to the gym every once in a while if it is not your thing. Or, maybe they are as simple as being better about picking up after yourself and being cleaner.
On the other hand, some people’s goals can be more heartfelt or serious. For instance, one might realize they need to be a kinder person or quit a bad habit affecting their personal and interpersonal relationships.
If a person actually goes through with a given resolution for the whole year, this could create a newer and healthier addition to their day. For example, if a person’s goal is to go to the gym once a day to get in touch with their fitness goals, they might end up liking it so much that it becomes a routine norm.
Some people even participate in “dry January,” which entails spending the first month of the new year refraining from consuming any alcohol.
While it might be considered a challenge to start the new year alcohol-free, the benefits — such as self-discipline — encourage personal growth and set a positive tone for the year.
Whatever the goal in question, or if one chooses to set goals, it is no secret that there are opinions on both sides. On a positive outlook, setting goals can feel like setting oneself up for a new beginning or a greater pathway in one’s life. It is always important to have an optimistic outlook, after all.
However, setting unrealistic goals can bring a sense of disappointment and sadness if they are not completed. When failing at following through with those goals you tried oh-so-hard for, it turns into an ultimate yearning for another year to start again for that clean slate.
Finding a healthy balance between what is realistic for oneself and what is not attainable is essential and a great way to navigate success.
With this being said, you may have experienced things this past year that caused you to reflect on your hopes and aspirations in the new year. Or maybe you just have an undermined idea that you will do better this year overall.
However you choose to look at what this new year means for you, just know that this clean slate is all of what you make it.
Ansley Graves is a junior at UT this year studying journalism. She can be reached at [email protected].
Columns and letters of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon’s editorial staff.
