New year resolutions, self-reflections and you!

Happy New Year! Yes, it is that time of year when we inspire to start anew, which often includes incorporating our new year resolutions!

Personal self-care goals we start out with great enthusiasm and intention, yet all too often find ourselves slowly losing momentum in maintaining them as we become distracted with everyday life. As such, I found myself pondering the origin relating to New Year resolutions and why we make them year after year, knowing they may not last.

The History of New Year’s Resolutions

The ancient Babylonians are said to have been the first people to make New Year’s resolutions, some 4,000 years ago. They were also the first to hold recorded celebrations in honor of the new year—though for them the year began not in January but in mid-March, when the crops were planted. During a massive 12-day religious festival known as Akitu, the Babylonians crowned a new king or reaffirmed their loyalty to the reigning king. They also made promises to the gods to pay their debts and return any objects they had borrowed. These promises could be considered the forerunners of our New Year’s resolutions. If the Babylonians kept to their word, their (pagan) gods would bestow favor on them for the coming year. If not, they would fall out of the gods’ favor—a place no one wanted to be.

Despite the tradition’s religious roots, New Year’s resolutions today are a mostly secular practice. Instead of making promises to the gods, most people make resolutions only to themselves, and focus purely on self-improvement

Why We Make Resolutions

Why do millions of people resolve to change at the beginning of every year? A series of studies into what researchers have dubbed the “fresh start effect” has looked at how temporal landmarks can motivate inspirational behaviors.

The New Year feels like a new beginning, which is why so many people often set lofty resolutions during these times. While this practice can sometimes lead people to bite off more than they can chew, going after resolutions can also present great opportunities to overcome struggles with willpower, determination, and ingenuity.

Re-establishing your priorities

Whether your resolutions are oriented around personal well being, nurturing relationships, or establishing financial security, it reveals what is most important to you. Our time is our most precious resource. Determining how to use our time to enhance the aspects of our lives that are most important to us is essential to leading a purposeful life.

What is self-reflection and why is it important?

Self-reflection is the act of looking inward and examining our thoughts, feelings, and actions. It allows us to gain self-awareness and a deeper understanding of who we are and what we want out of life. After all, the more reflective we are, the more effective we become.

Celebrate each victory be they big or small

Every day is a new challenge to live the way we intend to, according to our passions and purpose. Remember, it takes less effort to stay the same than it does to change. Most goals require stepping outside of our comfort zone and that is why many people give up. Stepping out results in growth, achievement, and increased self-esteem.

On a personal note: As for myself, I no longer engage in “exercising” New Year resolutions as they never truly “work out” for me. However, I do try to focus on incorporating healthier choices that will benefit my well being and do so with the hope these self-care choices will grow stronger throughout the year. For as we know, personal growth is an ongoing journey and why it is important to keep moving forward “one day at a time” in authentically caring for ourselves without judgement or comparison - no matter what time of year it is! To embrace our own unique, personal “evolution” as we each cultivate our individual strengths, skills, and happiness in recognizing we are each our own greatest investment!

Donna Pisacano-Brown is a Point Lookout resident who has been a columnist featured in local newspapers since 1996. She is a passionate advocate for drunken driving awareness, and shining a light on mental health topics.