Is making a New Year’s resolution a dying tradition?

January 7, 2015 · 0 Comments

A growing trend in today’s society involves the good ol’ New Year’s Resolution and the general consensus found in 2015; most people are not making resolutions of any kind.
According to Wikipedia, the New Year’s Resolution concept is actually not new, tracing the tradition as far back as ancient Babylonians and Romans, linking religious beliefs with promises to God of good behaviour in return for good fortune in the upcoming year. Even Knights of the Medieval era vowed at the end of the Christmas season to remain chivalrous throughout the upcoming year.
Fast forward to today’s society and find a growing number of people haven’t even harboured an inclination into the century old tradition and for those who did think about making a New Year’s Resolution, opted out entirely.
With today’s fast paced society, many try simply to make it through Christmas which is for some, “extra” piled onto an already busy, hectic schedule commonly known as everyday life. Extra spending, extra cooking, extra laundry, extra visiting, simply extra everything, including exhaustion and many cannot wait for a renewed schedule of normalcy and routine just to get rest from the holidays. After the New Year’s festivities, it seems a New Year’s Resolution is the last thing on everyone’s mind. Most people interviewed simply stated they no longer make a New Year’s Resolution because they never follow through.
Perhaps 2015 will be noted as the defining moment in history when society resolved to stop making New Year Resolutions and choosing instead to set goals for life and focus on positive life changes.

By Alex Sher

Chloe Galbraithe, employee at Shelburne’s Main Street Cafe commented, “I plan to stay healthy and active,” with regards to her New Year’s Resolution for 2015.

Shelburnite and graduate of Centre Dufferin District High School, Haley Cameron, following a growing trend decided not to make a New Year’s Resolution.

When asked what her New Year’s Resolution was, Hair Stylist at Enchanted Esthetics, Jade McCabe, like many people, commented, “I haven’t even thought about it!”

Local business owner of MoneyWorkz, Kevin Bowler, offered up his New Year’s Resolution on an optimistic note, commenting, “To take a negative and turn it into a positive resolution.”