I was out on a run with a friend recently when I asked the inevitable question surfacing around this time of year: “So, what are your New Year’s resolutions?”
She paused, smirked and admitted she didn’t really have any. Not this year. Not most years.
Then she explained why.
She said she never liked the pressure of the “all-or-nothing” mindset. The annual expectation to reinvent herself on Jan. 1 and proceed without flaw. In the past, those rigid rules rarely survived more than a few weeks. And when they inevitably collapsed, they hindered her motivation to keep “resolving” altogether.
Her response stuck with me because it quietly critiqued the idea that personal growth should happen cleanly, predictably and on cue with the calendar.
Indeed, New Year’s resolutions are shown to fail at remarkably high rates. A study published in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology found that while motivation spikes in early January, only a slim fraction of people maintain their resolutions long term. And, big shocker, 80% of resolutions fail, most by February (yikes).
Does ambition really go into hibernation that swiftly? Not really.
Before blaming discipline, it’s worth clarifying this isn’t a “you” problem. Resolutions rely almost entirely on willpower — a resource proven to be finite in the human brain. Self-control is especially volatile during periods of fatigue, stress and emotional strain, according to the American Psychological Association. In plain words: Tired brains make bad promises.
January, ironically, is one of the worst months to depend on willpower. Colder weather, fewer hours of sunlight, post-holiday financial stress and seasonal depression create a perfect recipe for inconsistency.
Yet when the first day of the year arrives abruptly, we expect ourselves to sleep better, eat less, exercise more, work harder and obey a vision board crafted the night before.
The problem is simple: Our bodies don’t operate on calendar resets. They count on rhythms and routines. Habit formation doesn’t happen overnight, no matter how aesthetic the planner. Research suggests habits take anywhere from 18 to 254 days to form, depending on the individual. Most resolutions don’t even make the preliminary cut.
When resolutions fail, we point the finger at ourselves. We internalize the blame, labeling ourselves as lackadaisical, weak-willed and inconsistent. A bit harsh, right?
The issue isn’t personal failure; it’s systemic. We’ve built a model with no mercy. Gradual, flexible and repeatable behaviors compound over time and are far more likely to create lasting change.
This doesn’t mean goal setting should be neglected. It just means change isn’t punctual. It’s late for the train every now and then, misses a connection or two, but eventually arrives at its final destination. It’s unglamorous, nonlinear and just human.
So perhaps the healthiest resolution this year is letting go of the idea that change is signaled by a single, symbolic chime. Maybe it starts later, smaller or in disguise, free of an audience.
Like my friend on the run, opting out of resolution culture shouldn’t be interpreted as a lack of drive. Instead, it shows maturity in understanding the true nature of change.
Not failure. Just reframing.
Ava Walsh is a 22-year-old UF biology senior.
