New Years are a time of reflection, a moment to revisit the experiences that have shaped who we are today. As the year 2024 stretches before us like a blank canvas, we can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation for what’s to come, nudging us to think of our New Year’s resolutions.

Now, we get it—some of you might gag at the thought of New Year’s resolutions, and that's perfectly understandable. We’ve all scribbled down those lofty goals before, vowing to finally master that foreign language, conquer that fitness goal, or write down the novel that’s been sitting in our head for years.

But somewhere along the lines, many of us grew jaded with resolutions after failing to achieve them every year without fail (pun intended). Eventually, we begin to ask ourselves: why set ourselves up for disappointment? From that moment onwards, it’s not difficult to see why so many of us fell out of the habit of making resolutions.

The thing is, failing at New Year’s resolutions is a collective experience. You may be familiar with Quitter’s Day, a day dedicated to those who have given up on their New Year’s resolutions. It falls on the second Friday of January, the day when most people statistically abandon their resolutions. But why is it so hard to stick to our New Year’s resolutions?

We hate to admit it, but most of the time, it’s just impatience. We set ambitious goals and expect to achieve them overnight, or in the span of a week or two. When change doesn’t happen as quickly as we hoped it would, disappointment sets in, and we eventually abandon our resolutions altogether.

You see, humans are such curious creatures. We tend to swing between overestimating and underestimating our ability to change. We often convince ourselves that by simply doing xyz, we can miraculously turn our lives around. And when we fail to materialize the change we seek, we declare our resolutions as doomed from the start.

To put things into perspective, the evolution of apes to humans was a process that took up to 6 million years, which is an unfathomably long time. Of course your personal evolution is going to take time. You just need to keep pushing yourself.

New year—a new chapter, new verse,
or just the same old story? Ultimately
we write it. The choice is ours.

Alex Morritt

Rather than seeking a 180-degree transformation over the weekend, aim for incremental changes every day. Real change is a gradual process that takes time and effort. It’s a slow-simmered stew, not a cup of instant ramen. And try not to beat yourself over every slip-up. Trust us, they aren’t going to leave a permanent stain on your resolutions. Mistakes are bound to happen, you’re only human after all.

So, as we step into the new year, let us view it as a launchpad for personal growth. After all, we don’t celebrate New Years just for fun. We celebrate them because they symbolize a hope for new beginnings and opportunities to turn a new leaf.

And remember, it’s the consistent 1% change that truly matters. So celebrate the mini milestones you make every day. Throw yourself a little party and give yourself a pat on the back whenever you resist that tempting ice cream or get up for a jog. You don’t need to wait for a full revolution around the sun to celebrate change.

To kickstart your journey, here are three simple tips:

1. Start Small: Instead of trying to complete a cross-country marathon on the get-go, commit to running around your neighborhood twice a week. Small, manageable goals will keep you motivated and prevent you from feeling overwhelmed, as you gradually progress towards your larger aspiration.

2. Be Kind to Yourself: Setbacks are inevitable, but every step back gives you the opportunity to leap two steps forward. Don’t spiral into negativity simply because of a missed workout or a sugary snack. Remember, change is a journey. Just pick yourself up and keep going.

3. Make It Fun: Change should be fun! Find ways to make achieving your goals enjoyable. If you want to be fit but running isn’t your thing, explore alternatives like swimming or dancing to stay active.

With that said, here's to a new year of growth and fresh beginnings! May your resolutions be the guiding stars that lead you to exciting discoveries and self-improvement.

Cheers to a fantastic year ahead! 🎉