Are you already thinking about your New Year’s resolution? It’s not even December yet, and we’re already gearing up with a handy list of excuses for why we’ll inevitably fail. It’s like clockwork. We talked about this on the radio, and according to a poll, the easiest resolutions are things like "practicing better hygiene" and "drinking more water." Really? So, you’ll have sparkly teeth and spend half the day in the bathroom. Huge win.
Anything more challenging, though? Forget it. It seems that resolutions requiring actual effort demand way more motivation than most of us are willing to muster. What happened to the days of "giving more to charity," "offering piggyback rides to the elderly," or maybe just, you know, stopping petty theft? Pfft, wishful thinking.
Back to that poll. Let’s dive into the top five excuses for why you’re destined to abandon your shiny new goals:
The Cost – You start with the best intentions, like joining that swanky gym that’s going to help you turn into a Greek god, but then reality smacks you in the face. It costs more than your rent, and suddenly you’re rethinking whether those burpees are worth sacrificing your ability to pay for groceries. Time to bail!
Too Busy – Because who has time for self-improvement when you’ve got a never-ending to-do list and an urgent need to binge-watch the latest Netflix documentary? (Side note: The one on the American Gladiators TV show is a must-watch. It’s SO good.)
Lack of Support – It’s hard to stay on track when your friends and family are more into sabotage than support. Sure, they’re there for you - offering donuts, a cold soda, and maybe a pack of smokes instead of that side salad you should be eating.
Lack of Motivation – Sometimes the couch looks way too comfy to leave for a jog. Honestly, most of us are lazy at heart, and if it’s a choice between running shoes and thumbing through IG on your davenpot? You know what wins. Every. Single. Time.
No Instant Results – We live in the age of instant gratification. If those abs don’t magically pop out after a week of cardio, or your dream partner doesn’t materialize out of thin air after a yoga class, it’s easy to get discouraged. Cue the extra-large belt purchase.
Despite all these fantastic excuses, a whopping 75% of people still claim they set a New Year’s resolution. And get this—83% say they’ve had some success with one before. Cheers to those folks! They’re unicorns.
In my opinion, you’ve got to at least give it a shot. Sure, your inner voice might tell you you’re doomed, but maybe—just maybe—if you set a small goal, you can pull off that "NEW YEAR, NEW ME" miracle.
But until then? Pig out on those donuts. You’ve still got a bit of 2023 left before the sugar rationing begins. Enjoy!
Photography credit: Jeremy Padgett
