When approached thoughtfully, New Year’s resolutions don’t just have to be lofty goals; they can be powerful tools for personal growth.
Every January, social media and post-holiday catch-up conversations buzz with a familiar refrain: New Year’s resolutions are pointless.
The critique usually boils down to the belief that resolutions are momentary fads, with a staggering 80 per cent destined to fade by February, leaving us feeling guilty and disappointed. While it’s true some resolutions are abandoned, dismissing the entire practice as superficial misses the point of setting intentions.
There’s something undeniably symbolic about the New Year. Psychologists refer to this feeling as the “fresh start effect”—a phenomenon where temporal landmarks like Jan. 1 provide a mental reset. These moments detach us from failures of last year—like drunken New Year’s Eve mistakes—and grant us a chance to try again with renewed vigour, even if accompanied by a lingering hangover.
Rather than being restrictive checklists or clichés, resolutions offer an opportunity to reflect on the past and envision a more intentional future. They don’t have to revolve around quantitative measures like running five kilometres a week or reading 45 books. Instead, resolutions can be qualitatively focused on values, emotions, and experiences that enrich our lives and the lives of others.
Resolutions are, at their core, about setting intentions. Research in psychology underscores the importance of goal-setting in fostering meaningful change. Goals give our efforts direction and provide a sense of purpose. By defining actionable steps towards those goals—whether big or small—we’re more likely to align daily habits with our broader aspirations.
Take my resolution, for example: this year, I’m committing to “be more creative.” It’s not a checkbox goal with a clear finish line, but rather an ongoing practice I aim to adopt. Whether it’s occasionally picking up a sketchbook or coming up with more inventive excuses to skip class, creativity is the intention I’ve set for myself. And, according to scientific research, by writing down this goal in my 2025 journal, I’m increasing the likelihood of following through on this resolution.
The power of a resolution lies in its ability to signal a fresh start, encouraging us to look forward to growth rather than dwell on past shortcomings. When we adopt resolutions with this mindset, we acknowledge growth is a journey, not a destination. Even if a resolution evolves or goes unfulfilled, the process of setting it—the hope, reflection, aspiration, and Pinterest-board-creating—is itself valuable.
Resolutions can be an antidote to complacency. They remind us change is possible, even in the face of life’s challenges. By daring to set goals—whether it’s learning a language, calling your mom more frequently, or prioritizing self-care—we invest belief in our ability to improve and adapt.
If resolutions have become synonymous with failure, then it’s time to redefine them.
Let’s shift the narrative to emphasize intention over perfection and mastery. Instead of focusing on rigid success metrics, we can embrace resolutions as flexible guides that don’t evolve us but evolve with us. Let them be rooted in self-comion, curiosity, and a genuine desire for growth.
As we usher in the new year, we should reject the cynicism surrounding resolutions and recognize their potential to inspire meaningful change. A resolution isn’t a frivolous trend when it’s a vote of confidence in yourself. And that’s always worth it.
Natalie is a fourth-year Concurrent Education student and The Journal’s Postscript Editor and Graphics Editor.
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