Resolutions are pointless. At least they are for me. Mostly because I’ve never successfully kept a single resolution I put in place no matter how much  determination or willpower I’ve assigned to the change.

Historically, the first few days start out strong with steadfast resolve. Without fail, those first full-throttle days are followed by a steady daily decline in my commitment. One day, usually about 3 weeks in, I realize whatever change I’ve resolved to make has dissolved into nothingness and I’m right back where I was on December 31.

It doesn’t matter if the resolution is a big life-changing goal or a tiny change in habits; my resolution dilemma is consistent. I simply don’t possess the willpower to make the resolution stick.

A few times, I felt I could use more exercise. I’d purchase equipment I felt was needed to make sure I could attain my goals. I’d make charts with daily goals and plan to journal successes and challenges. I’d make sure to include fun activities that would capture, and then keep, my limited attention. To keep failure at bay, I made sure my goals would be attainable and nothing too far out of this world like joining a weightlifting group or running marathons. I arranged for sessions with friends. Surely that social accountability would strengthen my resolve, right?

Nope.

Those activities disguised as exercise, the ones planned out so carefully and picked specifically for the fun factor, quickly became a boring chore. The equipment I had acquired moved into a forgotten corner to collect dust. Those social sessions were cancelled as other priorities took their place.

No fancy gym equipment needed. A pair of snowshoes and miles of quiet woodland trails all I need for winter workouts. (Dee Menear/Rangeley Highlander)

Another year (or two) I resolved to eat healthier. Crisper drawers overflowed with fruits and vegetables. An abundance of grains filled the cabinets and the not-so-great carbs, sweeteners and oils were tossed and replaced with better alternatives. New cookbooks were added to my already cramped collection. Knowing how my brain works, I figured the fresh recipes that filled these books would reign in my waning attention span. I enjoy cooking, exploring new recipes and foods. Surely, this could be a change I could stick to, right?

Negative.

While most of the contents of the crisper drawer were consumed, the next shopping trip did not include as many replacements. The new cookbooks lost their allure as I settled back into an old routine filled with the favored flavors of cherished recipes. Attempts to alter those recipes into healthier versions fell flat. Fruity seltzers were pushed into the far recesses of the refrigerator as sugary alternatives reclaimed their front and center placing. As a creature of habit, this was one pattern I just couldn’t break.

There have been vows to prioritize relationships. My friend group would chat about doing all the things we’d always said we wanted to do, prioritizing the things that were most important to us. Plans were made, commitments were noted in ink on new planners. Weekends were filled with notations of planned outings, gatherings and getaways. Since it wasn’t just me making these commitments, this one should be easy, right?

Not in the least.

We found work would interfere and family schedules would change. At times, one, or all of us, wouldn’t have the energy to see our plans through. Eventually, all the great plans we carefully committed to would be scratched from our planners and we would settle into a familiar routine of sporadic, spontaneous get-togethers.

Many years ago I gave up making any annual commitment to change. Rather, I consistently work throughout the year to make the changes I know should be made.

New Year, new me?

Nah.

New Year, old me.

And that is okay. As I write this, with a slice of leftover Christmas pie beside me on the desk, I realize I can continue my quest to eat healthier, exercise more,  spend more time on hobbies, learn new skills, and foster relationships without the pressure of an all or nothing attitude. I don’t need the added weight of a resolution and what I know are unreasonable expectations immediate results. What I can commit to is what I’ve always strived for. A continuous effort to work on those things that are important to me, not just at the beginning of a new year, but every single day.