We’re a few weeks into January, and chances are you’ve been hearing a lot about New Year’s resolutions lately. Maybe you’ve set a few for yourself – have you been sticking to them?
New Year’s resolutions can be a fun way to set a goal. They provide a clear starting point and an easy way to measure progress – counting days is simple when you begin on the 1st of January! Whether it’s deciding to go to the gym more often, save more money, or try a new hobby, resolutions can be exciting and motivating.
While 74 per cent of Australians have decided to make a New Year’s resolution for 2025, some research has shown only about 8 per cent of people actually achieve their goals. That’s not a reassuring number!
If you do decide to make a resolution, take the time to plan it thoughtfully and make it realistic. Making changes to your life should feel positive and rewarding rather than overwhelming.
So, should you be making a New Year’s resolution? Let’s dive into the pros and cons to help you decide.
Why you should make a New Year’s resolution
The end of the year is a chance to reflect and to think about your future and what you want to achieve in the next 12 months. Setting goals is an important part of personal growth, and making a New Year’s resolution can help bring positive changes to your life.
Often, resolutions are health and wellbeing based, focusing on exercise, food or money. Making small changes to your lifestyle starting in the new year can make you feel good, and if you’ve been thinking about trying a new exercise class, making healthier food choices or saving a bit of money, the new year can be a good time to start.
Don’t worry though – New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be based on self-improvement, and they can be fun! Maybe your resolution will be to try all the different flavours of gelato at your favourite ice cream shop. Pick up a cookbook and make a resolution to cook a new recipe every week, or watch a movie you haven’t seen before every weekend.
Sharing your resolution with a friend can make the process more fun and easier to stick to. Get the gang together for a weekly walk or a monthly dinner, or tell each other your own resolutions so you can support each other to achieve your goals.
Why you shouldn’t make a New Year’s resolution
While resolutions can be a great way to set goals, they can also create unnecessary pressure. Many resolutions focus on completely overhauling your life – for example, changing your diet, committing to a strict exercise regime, or trying to save an unrealistic amount of money.
Having an all-or-nothing mindset around your goals can set you up for failure. Life is unpredictable, and sticking rigidly to a resolution can feel tiring and disheartening when things don’t go as planned. Instead of motivating you, it might leave you feeling worse. Resolutions aren’t for everyone.
As an international student, you have a lot on your plate! From assignments to meeting new people and exploring your new home, there’s no need to put any extra pressure on yourself. If the idea of a New Year’s resolution feels a bit stressful to you, you don’t have to make one. Remember – you can set a goal at any time, you don’t have to wait for the new year!
How to make a SMART goal
If you’re set on creating a resolution, try using the SMART approach to guide you. A SMART goal is one that is:
Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve
Measurable: Set a way to track your progress
Achievable: Make sure your goal is realistic
Relevant: Choose a goal that aligns with your priorities and values
Timely: Set a deadline to keep yourself motivated
For example, instead of saying, ‘I want to exercise more’, a SMART goal would be: ‘I will go to the gym twice a week after work for 30 minutes.’ This makes your goal clear and manageable and allows you to set yourself up for success. This approach can apply to any resolution, from making lifestyle changes to trying new hobbies.
So, have you made a resolution? Are you sticking to it? If it’s not going as planned, it’s okay! You can always adjust your goals or let them go altogether. If you’ve decided not to make one this year, you’re not missing out. Change can happen anytime, it doesn’t have to begin on January 1st!
