New Year’s resolutions: The reset we keep coming back to

A brand new year is here and so is the decision to “get our lives together.”

Every January, there’s an odd mixture of anxiety and hope. All of a sudden, everyone is talking about vision boards, gym memberships, productivity tips, and the version of themselves they promise to be in 2026.

Even if we are aware of how things typically turn out, New Year’s resolutions seem to promise a fresh start, whether it’s reading more books, meeting new friends, or taking a risk — like getting that tattoo you’ve been considering for years.

Resolutions have always seemed both reassuring and daunting to me. Turning the page and feeling like you can start fresh might be thrilling. However, there’s the silent voice in the back of your mind that reminds you your goals from the previous year didn’t quite last past February.

Nevertheless, many of us still make them in spite of our track records.

My objectives for 2026 are really straightforward. I want to move my body more often, but in a way that seems doable and not in a “wake up at 5:00 am everyday” manner. I want to read more novels from my endless to be read list because I miss reading for pleasure rather than obligation. I also want to make it a priority to spend time with people who brighten and balance my life.

Although none of these objectives are unusual, they feel sincere — and that seems like a decent place to start.

I don’t usually make goals for the coming year, and sometimes, I skip them entirely because the strain can be too much. Failure seems unavoidable when all of your aspirations for change are tied to a single date. It can be foolish to anticipate instant discipline just because the calendar changed. Life doesn’t start over on Jan. 1.

In the debate surrounding New Year’s resolutions, some argue they are meaningless and we will inevitably break them. There is some validity to that. Resolutions that are too strict, overly ambitious, or motivated more by guilt than intention frequently fall short. It’s understandable why objectives don’t stay when they are framed as “fixing” oneself.

However, I do not believe that resolutions are totally pointless. They compel us to think, even if we don’t always follow them. They force us to stop and consider what we might be willing to let go of — and what we’d like to see more of in our lives. Even if the result isn’t perfect consistency, that self-awareness alone is worth it.

Over time, I’ve come to view resolutions more as guides than strict rules. Rather than making significant lifestyle adjustments, I concentrate on modest routines that are feasible. I’ve discovered that adaptability is more important than perfection. It doesn’t mean you’ve failed if you miss a workout or fall behind on a goal — it just indicates you’re human.

I also believe productivity isn’t necessarily the greatest resolution. Objectives like practising self-compassion, accepting new experiences, and scheduling time for relaxation can have just as much of an impact. Growth sometimes takes the form of doing things in a different way, rather than doing more.

I’m making an effort to be more understanding of what change actually means. New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be significant or long-lasting to be worthwhile. They are sufficient if they assist you in reflecting, resetting, or simply trying again.

If nothing else, they allow us to have hope, and that might just be enough justification to continue creating them in a world that frequently feels overwhelming.