Comments on: 10 Reasons Not To Make New Year’s Resolutions This Year

By: Peri

Peri — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:02:23 +0000

Very good! The New Year’s Resolution tradition defies one of the key ways to make certain goals are actually met … do them because they are IMPORTANT TO YOU, rather than societally expected. There’s the first “duh.” How many people will ask you, throughout the month of January: “What are your New Year’s Resolutions?” After 51 years of hearing that, I’m inclined, this January to respond “To not call you an ignorant and interferingly rude imbecile for even asking … OOPS! Blew it!” But then … its a difficult morning. I plan to NOT resolve anything this New Year’s Eve. The images of curling up before a warm fire, knowing that the harvest is in and that this is a time of quiet reflection and warm fuzzy feelings is hardly apt in today’s complex (and largely non-agrarian) United States, and the fallacy of the contemplative process needed for true reflection begins to fall apart there. Thank you for this highly supportive and very sensible article!

By: Psychologist Gerald A. Solfanelli

Psychologist Gerald A. Solfanelli — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 02:03:43 +0000

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), the most popular New Year’s resolutions are losing weight, quitting smoking, and exercising more regularly. Unfortunately, almost sixty percent of those who make resolutions give up, within the first six months. Nevertheless, chances are that if one does make a resolution, one will be ten times more likely to prevail over those without the resolve.

Our feelings actually dictate our actions. In that regard, if your reader

By: Kinky James

Kinky James — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 05:24:59 +0000

Way too realistic… where’s the post making me feel good about setting tons of goals?!?!

I agree that New Year’s resolutions often lack the planning and commitment. I’ve made a few commitments with barely a thought behind them… or it was the alcohol talking by midnight.

By: Roundup for week of 24 December 2007: Mercy Ships edition at Mighty Bargain Hunter

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 20:22:23 +0000

[...] Saving Advice turns conventional wisdom on its head and lists ten reasons not to make New Year’s Resolutions. [...]

By: Susie

Susie — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 16:09:20 +0000

I almost always make resolutions, and almost always forget all about them by February. For me, the best reason not to make resolutions is the way they make me act before the new year actually begins. I’ve been eating like a complete pig during the last few weeks because I know January is coming and I’m planning on cutting back starting on 1/1/08. However, I do enjoy the clean slate feeling that comes with a new year, and even if I only diet for a few weeks, that’s better than nothing, right? That will at least help me undo the damage I did in December.

By: greenday

greenday — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 02:12:24 +0000

Did you actually read the article or is your response to just the title? He never says to “throw out the baby with the bathwater” – he said you should go about making them in a way that gives you a better chance to achieve them since there are problems the way most people make resolutions.

By: Dido

Dido — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 01:41:59 +0000

Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater! Just because most people go about making new years resolutions the wrong way doesn’t mean that the practice of making them is wrong!

Many people tend to see new years resolutions as an all-or-none phenomenon–”once I blow the diet, I might as well give up because I’ve failed.” That’s the wrong way to go about it. The New Years Resolution is the destination, and like all good journeys, you’ll get there more efficiently if you have a roadmap, or plan. Also, there might be some detours and backtracking along the way, but that doesn’t mean that you should give up on going where you planned.

For some recent research on factors predicting success at keeping new years resolutions, see the article about Dr. Richard Wiseman’s research at http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2007/dec/28/sciencenews.research

By: fractalbrothers

fractalbrothers — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 18:32:27 +0000

my new year’s resolution is to become morbidly obese, start smoking, and get 17 cavities.

Now those are some new year’s resolutions that I will feel great about failing!

By: T.J.

T.J. — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 14:18:17 +0000

True but cynical. Don’t hate the game…. hate the player.

The day we quit resolving to change is the day we quit. We need to encourage people more throughout the year. Ask people how their resolutions are going. Hold them more accountable. Not accomplishing all your resolutions doesn’t mean failure…. quitting does.

I’ve learned to make realistic resolutions.

By: Meg from The Bargain Queen & All About Appearances

Meg from The Bargain Queen & All About Appearances — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 05:53:28 +0000

Call me an idealist, but I sort of like New Year’s resolutions.

Sure, most resolutions are probably broken, but that doesn’t mean that they’re not worth making. And New Years gives us a good excuse to sit down and think about what we want to — and can — change.

If you know you’re not good at resolutions, then think small. Resolutions don’t have to be drastic, life changing decisions.

If you’re curious, you can read some of my resolutions here: http://fashion.thebargainqueen.com/2007/12/start-your-new-year-right/