Are new year resolutions meant to be broken?

New Year, New Me!!! This is what I used to think every single time on the eve of New Year since childhood. The only reason behind was a new resolution taken by me for the coming365 days. New Year resolutions symbolize hope and a fresh start. On 31stDecember, when the clock strikes midnight, trillions and millions around the globe makessincere promises to themselves. These promises are better known as Resolution for the New Year.

Resolutions could be one amongst many, like, watching less TV, to talk less on phone, the best one is to eat healthier food, to exercise every day is another all-time favorite resolution for many, or learning a new skill. Yet, as the days turn into weeks, many resolutions falter, leaving us to wonder: Are New Year resolutions destined to be broken? The custom of making New Year steadfastness is not a new idea. It’s the dates back to ancient civilizations. The Babylonians made vows to their Gods to repay debts and return borrowed items, while Romans offered pledges to Janus, the twofaced god symbolizing transitions. The biggest difference between the past and today’s resolutions is that, today’s resolutions are less about pleasing deities and more about self-improvement, fueled by the psychological appeal of a clean slate.

The start of a new year feels like a chance to rewrite our stories and leave bad habits behind. Ironically, statistics disclose a grim reality: most resolutions don’t survive past February. A survey by the University of Scranton found that only 8% of people achieve their New Year goals. Why is this letdownand why is it so common for resolutions to break? The major reason is unrealistic expectations.Overexcited Individuals often set supercilious, indefinite goals like "will lose 15 Kgs in 1 month" or "become a tech leader in multinational just after 2 weeks of joining" without considering the time, effort, and resources required. Another prominent reason is lack of planning.

Resolutions are many a timesimprudent, obsessed by the excitement of the moment. With out a clear action plan, they’re destined to fail. Few people have, all-ornothing Mindset. That is, missing a single gym session or indulging in a dessert can lead to feelings of failure, causing people to abandon their goals entirely. The other side of the crowd, that is, the critics claims resolutions as flawed? Flawed or faulty because according to them, why to wait for January 1stto make a change? Others see them as a superficial ritual, a way to feel productive without real commitment. But perhaps the issue lies not in the resolutions themselves but in how we approach them. Another big question is that breaking resolutions is ablessing in disguise or not.

Actually, breaking a resolution doesn’t have to mean failure. It can be aappreciated opportunity for reflection and recalibration. Falling short of a goal is a reminder that change is a process, not an overnight transformation. Success comes from persistence, not perfection. Before making any resolutions, one should stick to the fact that if you’re determined to make this year different, consider these strategies:

Set SMART Goals: Ensure your resolutions are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.Divide large goals into smaller, manageable steps and track progress. Keep a journal or use apps to monitor your journey.Share your goals with friends or join a group with similar aspirations and seek support from them. Celebrate small victories and don’t let setbacks derail you and be kind to yourself. Resolutions are fundamentally meant NOT to be broken.

Theysignify a likeness of our wish to grow, glow and improve. While January 1stis a convenient starting point, every day offers a chance to reset and strive for better. Instead of seeing resolutions as rigid commitments, embrace them as guiding principles a compass rather than a map.So, as we step into the New Year, don’t fear breaking a resolution. Instead, focus on building habits, staying adaptable, and celebrating progress. After all, the journey to self-improvement is ongoing, and each step forward counts, no matter how small.