New Year’s resolutions have somehow become notorious for being broken before January is even over. Yet we go through the motions year after year as if the very ritual itself had the magical power to change us into better individuals. The problem isn’t the concept of resolutions; it’s how we pick them: too ambitious, too vague, or too driven by momentary fancies. If we want to make resolutions that last, we need to focus on making meaningful, realistic changes rather than chasing trendy, empty goals.
For a start, let’s stop declaring war on our bodies every January. All that “new year, new me” rhetoric tends to translate into punishing diets, punishing workouts, or punitive self-talk about why we aren’t already skinny, fit, or flawless. We forget that our bodies carried us through whatever chaos the past year has brought—aching knees, stretch marks, pandemic pounds, and all. So how about resolving this time around to treat our bodies like allies instead of vowing to shrink ourselves? Drink more water, sleep like it’s a luxury, and maybe stretch once in a while—not because Instagram told you so, but because you deserve to feel good.
Another resolution worth making is learning how to say no—a skill that feels as rare as May rain. We’ve been conditioned to equate busyness with value, piling our plates so high with obligations that they topple over, leaving us frazzled and resentful. This year, I commit to protecting my time like a toddler who is jealous of any toy. It’s not selfish to put yourself first—it’s survival. And honestly, some favors and invites deserve a hard pass.
And speaking of saying no, it’s high time we drop toxic relationships—be it the friend who only calls when they need something or the coworker who thrives on gossip. Life is too short to be constantly giving backstage passes to people who don’t even applaud when you win. This isn’t about burning bridges; it’s about deciding to invest in relationships that feel like a ray of sunshine on a rainy day and not like a root canal.
A particularly underrated resolution is to fix our relationship with time. I, for one, have wasted countless hours scrolling through social media like a raccoon pawing through trash, only to wonder later where my day went. This year, I’m determined to put my hours where they matter: reading books that challenge me, having unhurried conversations, and maybe even watching a sunset without whipping out my phone. Time is money—you don’t get a refund for how you spend it, so you better use it wisely.
Let us also resolve to embrace failure, which is a necessary part of success, even if it doesn’t have good PR. We all want to hit the ground running come January, but what happens when you trip? This year, I’m giving myself permission to stumble and learn. Growth is messy—often requiring a face-plant or two before it starts looking like progress. The key is to keep going, no matter how awkward.
And here’s a wild thought: What if we resolved to be kinder to strangers and, gasp, even ourselves? A little extra patience with the barista, a smile for the security guard, or a “thank you” that doesn’t feel like it’s stuck in our throats could ripple farther than we think. Kindness isn’t some grand gesture; it’s a habit that makes life softer for everyone. Just think of how much lighter the world would be if we all tried a little bit harder.
The best resolutions are not about revolutionizing your life overnight but about planting seeds that grow steadily over time. Not about becoming someone else, but becoming more of what you are, minus the extra baggage. So, let’s skip the guilt-laden lists and aim for small, intentional steps instead. Maybe this year, we can finally keep our promises—not just to the calendar but to ourselves.
