New Year, Same Me—But Better!
Are they really resolutions? Or do we just want to feel less guilty about what we didn’t accomplish last year?
The idea of a "New Year’s Resolution" is really just a reset button—a fresh start to refocus on what matters. We often tie them to hope, self-improvement, and becoming a better version of ourselves. But are these resolutions genuine commitments, or are they just a way to ease our conscience in the moment?
We all say, “This is the year I’m going to get fit!” And for a while, it seems like everyone has the same idea. On January 1st, the gym is packed—it’s nearly impossible to find a treadmill or machine to use. But by the second week, the crowd thins out. Excuses creep in: “The semester’s started, I just don’t have the bandwidth today. Maybe tomorrow.” Or, “I can’t go every day; work is killing me.” By the end of January, a third of us who swore we’d stay consistent have already dropped the ball.
For me, resolutions became something different this year. I realized I needed to get serious about my priorities because no one else will do it for me. Here’s what I’ve been working on:
Staying Consistent with Physical Therapy
Some of you might not know this, but I have scoliosis. It’s not the most severe case, but it’s impacted my life enough to affect my confidence and daily routines. My resolution? Stay on top of my physical therapy. I’ve committed to wearing my brace regularly and scheduling exercise into my week—45 minutes to an hour, four times a week, no excuses. Structuring my week around this goal has made all the difference.
Surviving Business Finance
Let’s talk about this beast of a class. Any business student knows that finance can wreck your GPA if you don’t give it the attention it demands. My resolution here has been to wake up earlier and study for 3-4 hours daily. Some mornings, I need four or five alarms to get out of bed, but I’ve made this class my top priority because I know how much is riding on it.
What makes these resolutions stick? It’s the reality check I had at the end of 2024: If I don’t succeed mentally, physically, and academically, the only person who suffers is me. If I don’t work hard for my future, who will?
What about you? What do you want to achieve this year, and why does it matter to you? Whether it’s a small change or a big one, the best time to start is now. If you’ve been putting it off, here’s your sign: Get up, get moving, and make it happen!
