By Jacob Hall, Second Year, Comparative Literature and Cultures and French
Will this finally be the year that you stick to your resolutions? Epigram delves into the reasons behind why so many resolutions end up being short-lived.
2026 is well and truly underway, and with it millions globally are gearing up for a 'fresh start', excited to better themselves in the form of New Year's Resolutions. We have all too often heard the well-worn expression "New year, new me" to the point where it is borderline unbearable. This therefore begs the question: why do so many resolutions fail? It is foolish to believe that we can reinvent ourselves as the clock strikes midnight; real change takes time and effort. Gyms fill up .... and then by February the once-eager gym-goers quickly dissipate and return to their old routines.
385 Brits were questioned regarding their resolutions for 2026, and an outstanding 23% stated that they intended to get fit or exercise more. Whether this entails going to the gym, running, hiking, yoga - there are countless ways to achieve this, all of which differ from person to person.
Closer to home in Bristol, the long cold days of winter will soon(ish) be behind us, facilitating more activity and encouraging us to get outside! With 2,500 First Year students living in North Village accommodations, and a significant student population across Clifton and Redland, many of us are blessed with having the Clifton and Durdham Downs on our doorstep. What better place to pick up running than in the green heartland of our beloved city? Additionally, Wednesdays are incidentally not just about getting sloshed in Daisies; they're also about sports (who knew??). UoB has countless sports to get involved with, whether you join Ultimate Frisbee, Volleyball or Cricket. Being a student at Bristol, it is super easy to get out and active - probably easier than undertaking Dry January (even if term only starts on the 19th!).
Staying Motivated
It's a tale as old as time: initially, motivation is high, yet it soon dips. The dramatic shift in motivation can be attributed to a plethora of factors, most of common of which is simply a lack of time. Hey, I get it - with lectures, studying, cooking, cleaning, coffee breaks to Gail's, as well as hitting up the Triangle on the regular and everything else that comes with living independently (albeit not financially), we have little time to spare. That is, unless you are a Humanities student - like myself - we don't have an excuse).
Therefore, I shall echo the words of Seneca, the Roman philosopher, who argued that it is not about the time we have, but what we choose to do with the time given to us. Most of us don't have the time to run five times a week, or grind our asses off in the gym for two hours everyday. Instead, we could try out a new sport on Wednesday afternoon, or attended a yoga class on a Saturday morning. The most important thing is to show up. We like consistency, and when something comes along and disrupts this, it is initially difficult to stick at.
Nevertheless, integrating exercise into your life doesn't entail reshaping your entire routine, but merely tweaking it to better yourself. It takes time, but soon these resolutions will become a part of your daily routine, shifting it from a chore to a habit. Consistency and permanency do pay off. Hence, take it day by day. Everyone moves at their own pace, and progress, no matter how gradual, is always positive. So get those earphones in, blast some indie music - it'll almost feel like you're in Thekla on a Thursday - and get running!
"Running isn't just about health and wellness: it's also an opportunity to meet new people and explore new areas. Whether it's as part of a group or a solo run, the benefits will speak for themselves."
- Polly Blackburn, Social Secretary of University of Bristol Athletics and Cross-Country Club
Setting our resolutions
Starting is hard, yet consistency is even more difficult. However, setting yourself short-term, realistic goals oriented towards the act of showing up can massively help this. Make it work for you! Having a long-term goal in mind is great, yet ought not to be prioritised at first. Inevitably, if you remain consistent, improvement will follow: they are two sides of the same coin. Unyielding commitment is unfeasible, but realistic goals, broken down into many short-term goals, are conducive to ensuring that you stay on track to achieving these resolutions, turning these 'what ifs' into a lived reality. Over time, these small goals incrementally build up to become something truly substantial. Yet, in order to appreciate the view, you must first conquer the mountain.
Many set themselves vague goals such as 'lose weight' or 'start running', which are ultimately totally ineffective. Oftentimes they are too ambiguously ambitious, such as 'lose weight', underestimating the physical and mental effort required. These resolutions sound, as stated by Terri Bly, "sexy", yet are fundamentally unrealistic, acting as motivation killers. They are too long-term, focusing heavily on the end result whilst not considering the journey and the individual steps needed to achieve it. Furthermore, they often lack a plan for how they will effectuate this.
In theory, it's simple. In practise, not so much ...
"A certain amount of thought and psychological - and possibly physical - preparation and planning has to go into a New Year's resolution in order to sustain it" - Terri Bly
If you are in the formative stage of a task or hobby, it is rarely smooth sailing. Owing to the fact that progress is seldom linear, setbacks are inevitable. These are often viewed as failure, when in reality they are just part of the journey. I for one am a particular fan of the quote "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars", coined by Norman Vincent Peale. Although not entirely scientifically sound, the message is a poignant one.
It is imperative to drop the all-or-nothing approach, and view the matter in a wider context. For example, perhaps the lure of re-freshers this January - or merely just a pint at Channings - was too much and meant that you technically failed your Dry January. However, you can spin this setback on its head. Compare your monthly alcohol consumption in January with the copious amount of Baileys and wine that you drank over the course of December - it's a drop in the ocean! Chasing perfection will ultimately always end in failure, so be realistic!
You gotta want it!
Many people succumb to peer pressure from others when setting their resolutions. However, the desire to change ought to come from within, not from external influences. Therefore, self-reflection is required; people’s resolutions should be personal and unique to them, because everyone’s strengths and weaknesses, goals and outlooks on life differ greatly. Therefore, not merely adhering to what would be considered societally acceptable and comprehensible will increase the likelihood that you will stick with your resolutions.
Naturally, let's use an analogy: you commit to Dry January, eager to boast to your friends and gain that air of superiority over them. You will act humble, yet deep down you want everyone to know. Luckily for you, you will never have to feign nonchalance, because you will probably fail! You are fare more likely to see it through if you are genuinely discontent with your deplorable alcohol consumption than if you just want to impress others.
Therefore we need to understand the reasons behind our desire to change, which can in turn present us with new inroads with which to achieve this. For example, if you want to look better, you may find that there are many avenues to explore, from a healthier diet, hydration, skincare, dress sense or even a new hairstyle! You are far more likely to see your goals through if you are discontent with your current state and willing to make the change, despite the hardships, than if you just want to impress others. Change comes from a state of discomfort –recognising the need to change and a willingness to make it happen. Simple as.
In conclusion, New Year's Resolutions are hard - there's no doubt about it. But, oftentimes we are shooting ourselves in the foot from the very beginning - hopefully this breakdown will help some people to finally achieve their aims in 2026!
What are your 2026 New Year's Resolutions?
Featured image: Epigram/ Jacob Hall
