3, 2, 1… Happy New Year! 2024 is slowly creeping up on us, and with a new start, comes new challenges. New Year’s resolutions are a January staple, but who knows if their friends and family actually keep their word. As people seek to better themselves, one of the more popular resolutions is the start of a health journey. That might mean starting to go to the gym, eating healthier or eating less junk food and putting down the vape. Junior Mariela Villegas hopes to start off her year with a healthy change.
“I want to go into the year with a healthy life and start it off with good people ,” said Villegas, “I’m planning on going to the gym this upcoming year.”
While everyone starts out with the best intentions, most people do not even make it through January (no shade, me too). There are the usual excuses, “I don’t feel like it” or “I don’t have the time,” and the motivation for change quickly plummets.
Health resolutions do not just revolve around physical change, many focus on improving mental health also. Common goals include cutting off “toxic” relationships, making more time for oneself, connecting with loved ones or growing their faith.
“In 2024, everyone should do something positive and influence people to do better,” said Senior Lindsey Crittendan, “get closer with God and get closer with your loved ones.”
Every life change comes with significant hurdles. Whether or not someone completes these challenges throughout the year, does not define them. Goals and objectives can always be completed (or reattempted). The feeling of a clean slate is the excuse to live out the phrase, “new year, new me.” It has become a cliche because so few people go through with it. According to Ohio State University, only 9% of Americans go through with their resolutions all year around (again, I’m an 81%er too).
“My resolution for 2023 was to get better grades, which I didn’t do, saving money, which I also didn’t do,” said Senior Kate Barlow, “and being consistent at the gym, which didn’t happen.”
January is the natural, fresh start to the year (even if the weather is a bit dreary). It serves as a built in excuse to revive a positive mindset. The next dozen months are a mystery. 2024 will be trial and error for the millions of people (and hundreds of Falcons) who struggle to stay committed, but everyday is a new opportunity to say “let me stick to it,” and see a change within yourself. A new year can mean so many things to so many people, and only you can determine how your 2024 is going to go.