Achieve New Year Resolves

Dixya Poudel

One of the wonders of human nature is adaptability to change, even if it might be one of the hardest things. Although it may seem like a child’s personality is set quite unwaveringly by the time he or she becomes an adult, according to neuroscience, human minds are plastic in nature regardless of their age. As such, being plastic refers to the mind’s ability to stretch, rewire and reconfigure, according to changing circumstances. It is thus never too late to pursue one’s dreams, especially on the verge of a New Year which comes with the promise of a better future. 

Only a pessimist who is always decrying a half-empty cup is immune to the New Year celebrations, festivities, and a promise of new beginnings. Often such person tends to focus on the negative side of things, thwarting positive sides into the periphery. Casting aside negativity, New Year’s Day instead signals new resolutions for a positive change in life. And fitness mantra tops the list of New Year resolutions for most people worldwide. Then come mental health, career, academic and relationship goals. However, although it is great to be enthusiastic over such goals, it is necessary to be practical, realistic, and sensible about them. 

Instead of crash dieting, which can be unhealthy, let’s make it a resolution to eat healthy while also hydrating enough this year. No more love handles that make us look frumpy in cute dresses. Instead, let’s allocate time for fitness and exercise each day. It could mean walking or jogging around the neighbourhood park for half an hour each day and adhering to it, come rain or shine. Then there are work and education aspirations as well which require a good brain health. And we should never underestimate the impact of brain health as it colours each and every aspect of our lives significantly. 

Meanwhile, it could also help to focus on relationships and social resolutions so as to be a loving and supportive spouse, offspring, sibling, relation and so on. Being kind to strangers too is an added attribute. These are just a few examples of resolutions that one could set. According to psychology, in order to achieve our resolutions, it is important to ensure that they align with our biogenic, sociogenic, and idiogenic nature. Biogenic refers to the inherent personality of a person shaped by biology, sociogenic is about the social environment that shapes a person, and idiogenic involves personal elements that in turn affect an individual. 

By understanding one’s personality, environment, and individualistic milieu, it is possible to ensure not just success in life but also happiness and fulfillment. Who are we? What are our inherent natures and purpose? Where do we fall on the range of extroversion, neuroticism, conscientiousness, openness, and agreeableness? These five factors drive the personality of a person and are widely used in psychology. By aligning our resolutions with our inner values, personality, and external environment, it is quite possible to fulfill them. New Year clocks in each year with a reminder of ticking time of one’s precious life. With this reminder in mind, let’s set resolutions with an optimistic and practical outlook. Let’s also be grateful for New Year 2024 that grants us 365 more days to be a better person.