New Year Resolutions: to do or not to do?

It seems as new year rings the bell, it comes with some added pressure from social media or friends or family on making some new year resolutions. It is a a great idea to think about what you are going to do. What are somethings you can improve upon and something's you better just leave behind. I tried to make a visual board (nothing fancy, just a few scribbles I should say on a sheet of paper on the wall) but I tried to put things into categories of those that

I will Start

I will Stop

I will Learn

I will Change

I will Visit

It was a fun activity that I chose to do to see does making resolutions work? well for that you will have to wait till the last blog of this year.

Its just been 11 days and 354 more to go!

Though tedious it gave me some clarity, forced me to think and brink out my fears or things that I was avoiding.

I know this blog included no scientific data or quotes so far. So here I am to through in some evidence to the mix. Why is it that we think about making new year's resolution to begin with. Dai, Milkman, and Riis refer to this as “the fresh-start effect.” It seems the Temporal effect of beginning of a new year is a milestone we all recognize and experience. U.S. polls have reported that nearly 44% of participants have been likely or very likely to make a New Year’s resolution. The most common topics being ( any guesses???) physical health, interpersonal relationships, personal growth, and academic results.

Most studies however do not show a huge success rate in keeping the New year's resolution. (Now I don't think any of us needs a proof on whether these work or not. We all pretty much know the answer form our own personal experience on the success rate LOL. )

Oscarsson et al showed that in a scientific study, participants with approach-oriented goals were significantly more successful than those with avoidance-oriented goals (58.9% vs. 47.1%). Getting some help, helps!! The group that received some support was significantly more successful compared to those who tried todo it themselves. So here is the point, Take the help when you need it!

So lets hold each other accountable for each other's New year Resolutions and support each other.

So I will spill the beans to some of the things I decided to do and you hold me accountable if I don't get to them by the end of the year ( now that's one things resolutions are good at! You hold yourself accountable!)

I will Start to step out of my comfort zone ( I am going to try newer things!)

I will Stop saying yes to every request ( Setting healthy boundaries is important and you cant do everything!)

I will Learn to cook at least 12 new dishes from across the world ( one for each month. For those of you who don't know me, I love to cook and experiment with food!)

I will Change how my room looks ( my mom for sure will be happy about it !!!)

I will Visit at least 5 family and friends who I have not connected in last 1 year.

Try it, write down in comments on what you would like to do and lets support each other !