The start of a new year feels like flipping to a fresh page in a favorite notebook. Everything ahead is untouched, brimming with potential. And what better way to seize that momentum than with a New Year’s resolution, right?

This tradition goes back to ancient Babylon, where people made promises to their gods, hoping for good fortune in the year ahead. Centuries later, the Romans picked up the idea, dedicating resolutions to Janus, their god of beginnings and endings. Fast-forward to the 18th century, and resolutions as we know them were popularized in religious settings, where people reflected on their past and committed to self-improvement.

But let’s be honest: resolutions can feel like a love-hate relationship. We start with big dreams and lots of motivation, only to hit a roadblock a few weeks later. So, why do we keep coming back to them? And more importantly, should you make one for 2025?

Why Do People Make Resolutions?

Let’s be real—New Year’s resolutions are like that shiny gym membership everyone swears they’ll use but somehow forget about by February. They’re a mix of optimism, tradition, and, let’s face it, a dash of delusion 😹😹.

People make resolutions because the start of a new year feels magical. It’s the ultimate “new me” moment—a chance to leave behind all the bad habits, missed opportunities, and questionable snack choices of the last 12 months 😹. On January 1st, we’re practically invincible, armed with to-do lists, planners (the ones we rigorously completed at Starbucks by drinking gallons and gallons of coffee), and the conviction that this will finally be the year we wake up at 5 a.m., run three miles, and drink green smoothies like a wellness influencer.

Of course, reality often looks a little different 🤣. By mid-January, those early runs turn into hitting snooze just once more 🙄, the green smoothies are swapped for a quick coffee and a pastry 🙄, and the planner collects dust under a pile of laundry 🙄(goodbye P3,5000). Why? Because life happens—and let’s face it, resolutions can be a bit, well, ambitious.

But that’s also what makes them so endearing. Even when we’re overestimating how much change we can cram into a single year, we’re still trying. Resolutions are a quirky mix of hope and humor. They remind us that humans are forever striving, even if we stumble along the way.

So, why do people keep making resolutions despite the odds? Because there’s something irresistible about the idea of a fresh start. It’s like an unwritten rule of adulthood: if the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, you have to at least pretend you’re about to get your life together 🙄. And who knows? Maybe this will actually be the year you stick to it. Or at least make it to March 🤣🤣.

Will You Make a Resolution for 2025?

So, here we are—another year, another chance to ask the big question: should you make a resolution for 2025? Before you answer, let’s get real about what that means.

Resolutions don’t have to be those massive, life-altering goals we all joke about abandoning by Valentine’s Day. You don’t need to declare you’re running a marathon or giving up chocolate forever (unless you’re into that sort of thing). Instead, think of resolutions as little promises to yourself—intentions that feel achievable and meaningful.

Take me, for instance. I vowed to drink more water after realizing I’d been, well, a little stuck for way too long. I bought a gigantic water flask and set hourly alarms, I made it my mission to stay hydrated. And you know what? I actually stuck with it! A win for my body and a little pat on the back for me.

But not all resolutions have such happy endings. I also promised to read more books. Two shiny new titles were purchased, and guess how far I got? Not even halfway through one. It’s not like I was binge-watching TV all day—I was working two jobs, for goodness’ sake! Life got in the way, as it often does.

So, here’s the thing: resolutions don’t have to be perfect. They’re not a pass-or-fail test. If you succeed, that’s amazing—celebrate it! If you don’t, cut yourself some slack. Life happens, and there’s often a good reason things didn’t go as planned. But let’s be honest—sometimes, we’re just making excuses. (You know it’s true!) 🤣

And let’s not forget, there’s no rule that says you have to make one. If resolutions feel like unnecessary pressure, skip them! Set your goals whenever it works for you—April, August, or even next week. Life doesn’t wait for January 1st, so why should you?

Final Thoughts

New Year’s resolutions are a chance to imagine a brighter, better version of ourselves. Big changes, minor tweaks, or even just staying the course—it’s all progress. So, as 2025 approaches, take a moment to reflect. Maybe this is the year you keep that promise to yourself—or maybe it’s the year you ditch resolutions altogether and just enjoy the ride.