Resolution Schmesolution

How many of you set yourself a New's Years resolution?  It is now a week into the new year, how many of you have kept up with it?  How many of you have failed already?  Don't feel bad, 88% of those who make resolutions won't cut it.  With those odds, it really is a losing proposition.

Which is why I've never really understood the concept of making a New Years Resolution.  I've always felt that, if you wanted to make a change in your life, it's a bit silly to wait until a specific time of the year to try.  People seem to think there is something magical about January 1st that allows them to follow through on the things they are too lazy or stubborn or what have you to do the rest of the year.  "I haven't been able to quit smoking, but now that our man-made calendar system has reset, I know I'll be able to do it!"

But they won't (at least, many of them won't).  And it all comes down to motivation.  Making changes to your life is hard, especially when it involves things that have become routine to you.  The only way to make them stick is for you to want to make the change.

But the majority of people make resolutions because they feel they have to.  Because it's tradition.  And so instead of trying to make a change that they truly, genuinely want to make, they go with the first thing that comes to mind, which is usually losing weight or, if they smoke, quitting smoking.  And it's worth noting that these two resolutions tend to be things that other people think you should do.  "You know, smoking really is bad for you."  "You could stand to lose a few pounds."

Yes, there are health risks related to both.  If you are overweight and want to shed a few pounds I fully support you.  Same with wanting to quit smoking.  But it only works if you want to do it.  If the only reason you are going to try is because it's New Years and you are supposed to make a resolution, it won't work.

For example, I decided that I should exercise more.  My family has a history of high cholesterol, and diet and exercise is a great way to keep that down.  Since I lack the will power to diet, I decided to focus on the exercise aspect and go running a few times a week.  I started last spring and have done a pretty good job keeping up with it.  I even went out and got under armor so I could continue during the winter.  I saw a change I genuinely wanted to make, and I went ahead and worked towards that change.  I didn't wait until New Years to start.  I just fucking did it.

As I said, it all comes down to motivation, and "well, I need to come up with a resolution" is a terrible motivator.  As soon as it becomes an inconvenience it will be dropped.  I've gone through a whole slew of failed resolutions.  I don't think there has been one that I managed to keep, because they were all made out of a sense of obligation.  So I think it's time to end this notion of New Years resolutions.  If people want to change, they will change.  What date it is on the calendar has nothing to do with it.