The long-time connotation that comes with New Year’s Resolutions is that they set incredibly high, unreasonable standards for oneself and are impossible to keep. This very sentiment is reflected in our RHS Student body.
Juan Paez ’17 states, “Quite honestly, New Year’s resolutions are pointless. No one follows through on them.” But this belief that our resolutions are impossible doesn’t stop us from practicing this kind of “wishful thinking”. Even though Juan doesn’t think New Year’s Resolutions are neither effective nor enforceable, Juan still desires to eat healthier in 2014.
In our high-schooler brains many of our role models and the subjects of our conversations in the hallways, between classes, and over lunch—celebrities—believe that New Year’s Resolutions are worth a shot. If you haven’t come up with any resolutions, are regretting your goals, or have already given up all together, perhaps the resolutions of the inhabitants of Hollywood will convince you to give this annual tradition a chance…or a second one.
Jennifer Lawrence, a prominent role model of teenage girls everywhere and the star of the popular Hunger Games movie, wants to stand up for herself. Lawrence asserts “Nobody wants to be disliked…I tried to find a balance in saying what I mean and still being nice.”
Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman aspires to “Speak fluent Romanian.” Have you ever wanted to learn a new skill? Well now is the time!
One interesting approach to New Year’s Resolutions is to resolve to do everything atypical to a resolution (so you won’t give up on it). Kathy Griffin, a popular female comedian declared that “My resolutions are to eat more carbs, be more negative, swear more and offend more people…”
Another different take is to resolve to do something for others. DJ Pauly D, MTV’s Jersey Shore star, said, “I would like to do at least one good deed a day for someone else.”
A common reason that many opt out of making resolutions is because they cannot think of anything they want to do amidst the holiday season. Why think about losing weight when there is eggnog to drink, holiday cookies to devour, and a New Year’s feast to be eaten? But enjoying the holiday spirit shouldn’t prohibit you from making goals.
Jerry Seinfeld says, “I kind of incorporate resolutions throughout the year. If I think of something good to do, I’ll incorporate it into the system.”
The only solid excuse to not making resolutions for yourself is if you are perfect in every way. Like Steve Carrel, star of Anchorman 2. “I [don’t have a resolution.] Should I? Anything? Give me something.”
According to Statistic Brain, the most common goals for 2014 in America included losing weight, getting organized, and saving money. For the average citizen of the United States, and of Ridge High School, these resolutions seem relatable and reasonable.
Morgan Hill ’15 says her new year’s resolution is “to not procrastinate as much in terms of school work”, which I’m sure should be all of our resolutions at one point or another.
After fulfilling our resolution of acing our MP2 quarterlies, I know of a resolution that we should all have—to stay strong throughout MP3. Once you’ve fulfilled that goal, I urge you to take after the rich and famous and always keep improving yourself.