“New year, new me,” is a common phrase people say sometime early every next year, but just how many people actually stick to that phrase and become a “new” person? When and where did people decide that a year is 365 days? Why are there 12 months? There are many questions about the New Year and other subjects relating. There’s no simple answer to any of them, however, there still IS answers to the questions.

The most common question is, “What’s your New Year’s resolution(s)? Well, the most common answers to the question are, according to statistica.com, “Data from a recent survey by Statistica shows that one in five U.S. adults are committing to a financial goal,” meaning that about 20% of the U.S. population are committed to saving, making, or investing more money. Another common goal is to eat healthier, which is no doubt one of the most basic, overused resolutions. How many people complete their resolutions? Well, according to driveresearch.com, “3 in 10 Americans made a resolution in 2024. Recent research has shown that just 9% of Americans actually keep their resolutions throughout the year.” Only 9%! Now, breaking the fourth wall, my resolution is to blog daily, I started 2 days ago.

Another common question is, “What’re you looking forward to in the new year (2025)?” Common answers include: getting new hobbies, going on new vacations to new destinations, technological advancements, improved healthcare, environmental progress, and more time with family and friends. If you noticed, a few of these are “self-improvement.” People often use the new year as a way of saying “I am going to work on myself,” but that’s almost directly related to the new year’s resolutions, which if you go back, is only completed throughout the year by 9% of the U.S. population.

Is there certain strategies to help you succeed in your new year’s resolutions? Yes, but while there is plenty that people come up with on their own, there are experts who have developed the best and most successful strategies. One of the strategies is “rephrasing,” which entails not coming up with a goal straight, but rather starting small. Instead of saying, “I’m going to save $1000,” say, “I am going to make small deposits at a time, one by one.” You will reach the goal in the end, it just takes patience. Another way is finding something to hold yourself accountable. Once again, breaking the fourth wall, I have one of my family members reminding and making sure I blog daily.

All in all, there are plenty of ways to make, complete, and rephrase new year’s resolutions. You can be basic, doing a common one, or you can do something elaborate. Just remember, there’s always a way to complete your goals and a way to stay with them. If you fail it once, that’s fine, don’t give up. YOU CAN DO IT!