New year’s resolutions look different for everyone but the ultimate goal is for self improvement to strive to be the best version of you. Walking around triton we heard some diverse answers to the question: What’s your New Year’s Resolution?
“My goal is to spend more time doing things I actually want to do,” said English teacher Ms. Erin Dempsey.
Many believe the new year is an opportunity for positive change, whether it’s something as small as getting more sleep to something as big as losing 100 pounds. People set resolutions for their new year desires.
Once the clock hits 12, the thought going through mostly everyone’s mind is how they can better themselves for the new year. The idea formed about “resolutions” is to use the new year as your fresh start, to identify areas that need improvement, and how one can achieve the goals set. Success revolving these resolutions often stems from setting realistic goals that can be achieved with commitment. Although most resolutions only last for around 2 weeks, some people significantly change their lives for the better.
According to the article The History of New Year’s Resolutions by Sarah Pruitt, New Year’s resolutions are said to date back as far as 4,000 years, by a polyethnic group called the Babylonians. However, their take on resolutions looked quite different from what we see today. When the crops were planted in March, that was considered to be the start of their year, not January. During this time they would make promises to the gods to pay back their debts and objects borrowed. These promises were considered their look on resolutions. If they kept their promises the gods would present honor and awards.
Today, these resolutions are not as much promises to god, but promises to ourselves. To many people, the New Year is a perfect time to make goals to better yourself.
A common goal we observed amongst Triton was less screen time.
“My goal is to scroll less. In the last hour before I go to bed I’m gonna put my phone down and try to do something productive, like read or look at recipes,” said math teacher Mr. Matthew Haley.
When speaking with Triton senior Amelia Hanson she had a similar goal for 2025.
“My goal is to be off my phone more and go outside, go on a hike, or something like that,” she said.
These resolutions can even be physical as we heard a goal from Triton senior Beckham Zizza.
“To be better than I was last year, physically,” Zizza said.
HIs steps for this goal are simple.
“Get in the gym more.”
While some people have set goals, there are others who have no goals at all.
“I used to make them when I was little. It was a big thing for my family but recently we don’t do it anymore,” said Triton junior John Perley.
A big phenomenon called Quitters Fridays, is said to be one of the reasons many don’t bother making any goals for themselves. This event takes place on the second Friday of January, and is when most people quit their resolutions. The thought of Quitters Fridays is a big part of what holds people back from goal making.
Whereas some Triton students believe resolutions are actually very important. Such as junior Ava Johnson.
“I think it’s important to always reflect on what’s going on in your life and if it’s important then you gotta change it no matter what it is.” She said.
“I think that new year’s resolutions are important to some people but personally I don’t want to have one,” said senior Ashley Sabino.
While talking amongst Triton students and faculty it is clear that while some members of our community have specific set goals for themselves, some haven’t even put a thought into it.
