“New Year, new me”, we tell ourselves at the end of every year. Perhaps we were fired this year, went through a nasty break up or maybe dipped through our savings (a lot).

Maybe we want to do better and be a better version of ourselves. Sounds like harmless motivation for good change, right? Or are New Year’s resolutions just like saying, “I’ll start my diet on Monday”?

Getting Fit And Healthy

It’s interesting to know what intended life goals Australians have and what they want to accomplish in the New Year. Data from finder suggested that a whopping 54 per cent of Australians in 2016 were determined to work on their health and fitness, with career goals and relationship building tying second at eight per cent. The data also revealed that 58 per cent of those surveyed didn’t stick to those resolutions.

With the rise of social media’s fitness bloggers hyping us up to become so obsessed with gym culture, this doesn’t seem like a surprise. It’s a healthy lifestyle choice, which is great, but if it’s too unrealistic, we may just be doomed for failure. The Advertiser found that one in three Aussies were found to cancel their gym memberships by June and July after signing up in the New Year. So basically, a whole lot of Aussies are losing thousands of dollars a year to the gym.

If you quietly believe there’s a chance you’ll fall through on your fitness resolution, avoid signing a gym contract where you’re stuck paying off six months to a year of unused gym time.

Under Pressure

We spoke to a few students about what they thought of New Year’s resolutions. Lydia*, a student from University of Technology told Uni Junkee, “If someone wants to make a change to their lives, they don’t need to wait for a Nnw year. People can renew themselves at any point of the year, month or week.”

“People can renew themselves at any point of the year, month or week.”

“[New Year’s resolutions are] a way people can start fresh mentally after a tough or disappointing year,” Olivia, a student from University of Sydney said. “I think New Year’s resolutions work in theory but not so much in practice. It depends on the person and the resolution.”

Some goals are probably more attainable than others, depending on the level of determination. Social Psychologist Amy Cuddy from Harvard University told The Independent, “People are making absolute statements about what they’re going to do, and that’s setting them up for failure immediately – because they’re not always going to go to the gym three times a week.” If we’re going to make New Year’s resolutions, they need to be more flexible to see progress and results.

Nothing Wrong With New Beginnings

New Year’s resolutions open up ambition, opportunity and optimism, especially for students and those wanting to turn over a new leaf. Liam, a student from University of Technology, shared his thoughts on resolutions by saying, “New Year’s resolutions… signify the beginning of something new, which can serve as the catalyst for change, adaptation or development for an individual. It’s a recognition for a need for a change in lifestyle.”

The actual acceptance that you need to quit smoking, slow down your drinking or lose a few kilos is great! You understand that change needs to be made and you’ve been reflecting on your actions and choices in the past year. The next step is figuring out how to go about it.

… setting yourself a goal and failing is still better than setting none at all.

Psychologist Deborah Serani said to Share, “The beginning of a New Year can represent a fresh clean slate. It can be a time of new found hope and motivation.” Serani also said that setting yourself a goal and failing is still better than setting none at all. She said, “People who make resolutions are 10 times more likely to attain their goals than people who don’t make any.” By keeping resilient and resistant with your goal, or even altering it, means you’re trying and you’re sincerely determined for that change in your life.

There is truth in both arguments on whether the whole “New Year, new me” thing is complete BS or a search for something new and better for ourselves. The number one rule this 2018 is keep it simple, realistic and minimal with how many goals you set yourself.

Winner, winner, chicken dinner.

Claudia studies Media Arts and Production at the University of Technology, Sydney, is a major film and television fan and her favourite director is Quentin Tarantino.

(Lead image: New Years Eve/New Line Cinema)

*Name has been changed