Every year the day before January millions of people stay up till midnight and make a resolution that will start off their year strong, but they usually tend to fail. This repeated cycle of making wishes and then failing leaves the question of why exactly do people still make these resolutions?
For many years this conundrum has been studied and has yet to be fully developed but there have been many parts to it that have been solved. One part that people believe plays a huge part of it is the human brain. Because the brain is involved it has brought Psychologists and Sociologists to solve this decade long inquiry.
Before anyone tries to solve this question they have to understand how the New Year resolutions even came to be. The earliest known record that the resolutions were known to be used was 4,000 years ago used by the Babylonians and the Romans. Both cultures would use these resolutions as a gift to their certain gods. The Babylonians would use it to make promises to the gods for good fortune while the Romans used it to honor Janus, the god of beginnings and ask for a good year ahead.
After these two cultures started making these resolutions, years down the road, multiple other cultures made resolutions that were different but pretty similar in concept. In the 9th century the knights made “Peacock Vows” which was the same concept but just named it something completely different and soon multiple other cultures followed. Later in the 1800’s the practice of the resolutions started to spread around and started to be called a new name which was “New Years Resolution” which is what we use today, 225 years later.
Now why the history itself explains a lot about the question it still leaves some unanswered questions that professionals are trying to figure out.
Psychology teacher Micheal Childers says the main reason for the New Year’s resolutions all comes down to one effect.
“The New year Resolutions all boil down to the ‘Fresh start Effect’. The New year resolution is basically in simple terms a huge mental reset button, a major calendar landmark that lets us feel like we’re finally done with our old messes,” said Childers.”The New Year gives us permission to say, ‘That was the old me; this year, I’m starting over!’”
Sociology teacher Anita Penner says that the “New Year resolution” is basically a ritual.
“New Year’s Resolutions are a ritual we do in our culture. It’s also a social norm in America to see the New year as a fresh start and a good time to start something new/always wanted to do,” said Penner. “This fresh start makes people optimistic about doing things they may not have done before”
Childers says that even though New years brings a positive attitude it can also come with some downsides.
“During the New years we usually set ourselves up for failure by being too vague like ‘I’ll just be healthier’ which is impossible to track” said Childers. “Plus, we try to change everything at once, which quickly leads to burnout or ego depletion; our willpower is a limited resource, and we use it all up too fast!”
Penner says people not following resolutions can really vary.
“People completing resolutions can vary, but typically it comes from our already established routines” said Penner. “It is so hard to add something new to your daily life. Switching up your daily routine takes a lot of time”
Childers says the question of why people still do new years resolutions is actually an easy answer.
“It’s classic human nature, fueled by a big dose of optimism bias, we genuinely think, ‘Sure, everyone else fails, but I totally got it this year!’” said Childers, “Also, just making the resolution feels good, like we’re claiming our best self, even if we never actually hit the gym. It’s basically a feel-good ritual.”
Penner says the reason people still do New Year Resolutions is based on our culture.
“Resolutions are a shared ritual in our culture. The rituals in our society are structured and repeated to reinforce shared beliefs, values, and identity,” said Penner. “These things express hope and provide a collective feeling of a fresh start, regardless of the eventual outcome.”
Sophomore Adelynn Slobotski who participates in New Year Resolutions says the whole reason comes down to motivation.
“The reason I make resolutions is actually to motivate others,” said Slobotski. “I am already consistent in working out and having a diet plan, but others might not be. Encouraging others to join me for their New years resolutions is fun but also helps them achieve something even if it usually never works.”
Looking back at the history and some thoughts about the “New Years Resolution” it does explain some parts of why people still make these resolutions after failing prior. The human brain and human values can play a huge part on why people do many things and the New Year resolutions are a prime example of this.
