As 2024 brings new joy and excitement for the unexpected, it also comes with new trends. This year, there is an increase in the number of people choosing to boycott the traditional New Year’s resolution. The tradition of making New Year’s resolutions has been around for decades, with individuals worldwide committing to self-improvement goals as the clock strikes midnight. It’s not just high school students who have decided to join the movement, but also older teachers and people looking for a more sustainable change.
Mrs. Gonzalez, an academic coaching teacher here at CCHS, shared her strong opinion on New Year’s Resolutions. She says the “intention behind the resolution is good but usually doesn’t last after the excitement ends.” Mrs. Gonzalez specializes in teaching students how to prioritize and set goals. She points out that “goals aren’t just for the new year; it is when you think and believe in starting something new when it makes sense.” Setting difficult goals at the beginning of the year can lead to short-lived enthusiasm, with many people even abandoning them by the end of the week, leading people like Mrs. Gonzalez, who failed their past resolutions, to question the efficiency of this tradition.
Goals can be made whenever and wherever, not just restricted to a January 1st beginning. After talking to my trainer, Bobby Congalton, he disclosed that he too disagrees with resolutions because “it sets unrealistic and unachievable goals that can be disappointing and frustrating.” Bobby also says he likes “encouraging a more balanced approach and emphasizing progress over perfection.” It’s important to remember that the critical approach to fitness is having a realistic mindset and focusing on sustainable, long-term habits. This is much more valuable than setting short-term resolutions.
Many people set expectations that are just unachievable- extreme weight loss in a short period of time, zero sugar, or strict dieting are just some examples of unrealistic goals. Creating a realistic plan and being flexible in adapting goals as circumstances change can also contribute to a more successful goal-setting process instead of just relying on their resolutions.
