Another year has drawn to a close, and 2022 has begun; paving the way to new opportunities and a fresh start. Cue the mass wave of new year’s resolutions. Beginning with the Babylonians over 4000 years ago, making personal promises for the new year has become an annual tradition for many around the globe.

Obviously, the modern American resolutions don’t often include promises to kings or gods, but there are a few that continuously repeat each year. For example, the most popular resolutions tend to revolve around losing weight, and include eating healthier, or making a commitment to get more exercise.

“I always say I’m gonna eat healthier,” sophomore Campbell Cullan said. “… fruits, vegetables – all that stuff that lasts about a week.”.

It’s relatively easy to fall into a food trap with delicious sweets and greasy fast food. What’s not as easy is committing to a healthier lifestyle that requires making more nutritionally dense food choices. So it’s not surprising that nearly 43% of those who make a resolution include the goal of eating healthier.

When it comes to living a better lifestyle, an individual’s mental health is equally as important as their physical health. After the rough last few years, many people have vowed to improve their mental health.

“[One of my resolutions is to] do one thing that brings me joy everyday,” East High Spanish teacher Clarisa Almazan said. “[Also, too] write down one positive thing that happened each week.”

Especially recently, there has been a lot of negativity in the world. Almazan thought that these simple acts are a great way to find a little light in the darkness. To many, it’s the little personal victories that can push someone a long way. A healthy mind paves the way for a healthy life.

It’s easy to make a list of resolutions. The bigger challenge is how to be on top of resolutions. Many people enter the new year with big goals and expectations but quickly fall victim to temptation and procrastination. One way to stay accountable is to keep a checklist or journal handy.

“Before bed I always check off my list if I did something that was … for me,” Almazan said.

The most important thing to remember when making new year’s resolutions is to not give up too easily. It can be really difficult to change a routine that has been set in stone for a long period of time. But if you want to be successful, resist the urge to give in. It’s okay to have a cheat day, but remind yourself to get back on track.

When all is said and done, it’s not always easy to stay accountable, but it’s important to stay positive and to try your hardest.
“[It’s all about] doing the best you can to be the best you can,” Cullan said.