New Year Resolutions: Where they came from, Why we make them, and whether they're useful in 2023.

resolution

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU?

New Year's resolutions are commonplace tradition not just in Fiji and throughout the Pacific, but are widely practiced throughout much of the Western world and in many Eastern countries.

But what is behind the concept of committing to change at the start of a new calendar year?

The idea is to begin or work upon building a positive habit or trait. Using the start of the year as a clean slate to wipe away negativity, complacency or bad habits that may have built up over 12 months.

The first days of a new calendar year seem as good a time as any implement a new positive practice, and drawing attention to one's intention can help to bolster resolve.

ANCIENT ORIGINS

New Year’s resolutions aren’t a new thing at all. In fact, they’ve been practiced by cultures around the world for centuries.

The first recorded population to set resolutions for the year were the ancient Babylonians, who rang in the New Year up to 4,000 years ago by celebrating a 12-day festival known as Akitu.

Their New Year celebrations began with the vernal equinox, which is in March, and marked the start of the new farming season.

Apparently a common resolution amongst the largely agricultural community was the returning of borrowed farm equipment.

THE ROMANS

The ancient Romans co-opted the Babylonian New Year and, along with it, their concept of setting resolutions.

Eventually the Romans moved the timing of the New Year to align with the Julien Calendar, which marked January 1st as the beginning of the calendar year.

The month of January was named in honour of the Roman god Janus, and the Roman citizens would ring in the New Year by making sacrifices and setting positive intentions for the months to come.

THE MIDDLE AGES

The concept of setting New Year’s resolutions held firm over history and became popular in European society during the Middle Ages.

Medieval knights would make a vow to maintain their chivalry each year, known as the ‘peacock vow’.

The knights would place their hands on a peacock while setting their resolution. The ceremonies were held at the end of the year.

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MODERNS TIME + HEALTHY, ACHIEVABLE GOALS FRO 2023

New Year’s resolutions are still widely practiced in much of the world, however the types of promises we make to ourselves have changed with the times.

Moving away from traditional resolutions that tended to be influenced by religious ideals, the most popular resolutions today focus on general self improvement.

Some of the most popular resolutions in 2023 include:

- Lose weight, get fit or exercise more

- Follow a diet or start eating more healthily

- Improve personal finances, save money or get a pay raise

- Improve professional qualifications or get a promotion

- Learn something new such as a musical instrument or a language

- Quit smoking, drinking or eating junk food

- Practice mindfulness, live with intention and spend more time with family