The New Year 2026 has freshly begun. Around this time, it seems everyone starts wanting to improve: gyms are more full, grades are better, and habits are at their peak.
However, OH students are not strong believers in the “New Year, New Me” concept. Will the community not see improvements around OH in this new year?
“I think it’s motivating, but a lot of people think they can do more stuff than they actually can,” said OH junior Melanie Imbronjev. “So people kind of shoot big, and then they don’t end up doing it.”
Even OH staff are not so fond of the idea, like OH psychologist David Milos.
“I think the symbolism is ‘New year…new you’ but that might be driven more by marketing,” he said in an interview via email.
New Year’s Resolutions are popular globally, but have been somewhat infamous lately.
In an article titled “What Are New Year’s Resolutions and Do They Work?” by Mars Girolimon, a staff writer at New Hampshire University found that of 1,000 people surveyed by Dr. Michelle Rozen between January and June of 2023, “only 6% of participants followed through on their resolutions, while 94% of survey-takers did not.”
As Forbes, Milos, and Imbronjev say, New Year’s resolutions may be great, but realistically, they don’t change much. That could be a reason why OH students are not so big on them, either.
“Personally, I do not recommend making New Year’s resolutions,” said Dr. Thomas MacCarty in Girolimon’s article. “Many people who do not follow through will have a sense of failure for doing so.”
Another reason for the lack of goal setting in another year could be the fear of failure that MacCarty describes.
Like many others, OH junior Peyton Forbes said she feels that New Year’s Resolutions are not really useful because “a lot of people don’t go through with them,” and that she doesn’t think she’s ever set one before.
On the other hand, Imbronjev and OH senior Nate Bjes are at least attempting to set a goal this new year.
“My goal is to become healthier,” Imbronjev said, “I am focusing on my macros, like getting protein and stuff in, and I’m working out at least once a day.”
Goals like these with steps to focus on are exactly what is recommended.
“If you do opt to set a New Year’s resolution, Lesniak suggests creating a SMART goal that’s Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely,” said Girolimon.
To improve, it is important to set steps. Bjes practices this, and he usually accomplishes his New Year’s resolutions.
“I’m saving up to get a new car… I’m trying to hit 225 bench… and get accepted into Indiana University,” Bjes said. “Normally I’ll just work on stuff day by day. So you know, whenever I get my paycheck ill put like 75% away so that I can save for that car.”
Bjes sets a perfect example of a SMART goal, and it is very likely that he will meet his goals.
“I think they are pretty useful. People are trying to think of what goals they are trying to have. I feel like that is a good start,” Bjes said.
Maybe resolutions can be a positive thing; it just depends on how people go about it. For example, some aim too big and end up slacking, while others set small steps to reach them.
“I like them, but I think that anybody can start. I don’t think everybody needs to wait until the new year to start a new goal,” said Imbronjev.
This concept of ditching the whole New Year’s resolution and rather focusing on setting goals year-round is not often heard of. Yet, Bjes and Milos have a very similar opinion.
“I think that they’re like a good thing to have. But I just feel like… they shouldn’t happen on New Year’s. They should happen… when people think of them,” said Bjes.
From a psychologist’s perspective, Milos agrees.
“In my opinion, you can change anytime. Why wait (or start) on January first? I would rather people make small changes over a couple of months…instead of radical changes in January,” he said.
Maybe 2026 is not the year of resolutions, but instead a year of well-rounded goals when people are truly passionate about them. No matter what, being passionate about something and being honest with oneself is how a true change in the community can be made.
“The hope is, with each passing year, you have a chance to ‘take stock’ of positive things in your life (family, friends, physical/mental health), let go of the negative things that might have happened (and give yourself credit for been there/done that), and leave yourself open to trying something different (or new),” said Milos.
Hi! I am Stephanie Mayorga, a staff reporter and Spanish Section Editor for 42Fifty. I am a Junior and am excited for my first year in 42Fifty! You can contact me by emailing 42Fifty@sd308.org and putting my name on the subject line. We welcome comments on our articles and feedback on our publication!
