As New Year’s Day approaches, tradition calls us to make our new year’s resolutions for the coming year. This is a promise made to make positive changes or self-improvements in the year ahead. It is not just an American tradition and its roots go a long way back. Perhaps you have already thought of one or two to make this year?
What is the history of this somewhat odd custom? You might be surprised to learn it goes back to at least 153 BC. The first month of the year is named after Janus, a mythical king of early Rome. He had two faces to look back at past events and one to look forward to the future. This is also indicative of our review of the past year and looking forward to the New Year. He became the symbol of resolutions which initially started with asking for forgiveness from enemies and exchanging gifts before the next year.
Some 4,000 years ago, Babylonians celebrated the New Year with an 11-day feast in March when spring began and crops were planted. They made promises to the gods for favor in the coming year and resolved to get out of debt (sound familiar?). Ancient Egyptians celebrated their new year during the Nile River’s annual flood.
January 1st was not always the day New Year’s was celebrated, nor is it today in some places. It only begins Janurary 1st for those who use a 365-day solar calendar which began in 46 B.C. when Julius Caesar made a calendar that reflected the seasons more accurately than earlier calendars. Romans felt that Janus would look back at the old year on December 31, and began the tradition of exchanging gifts at midnight by giving one another branches from sacred trees for good luck. As time went on coins imprinted with the picture of Janus were common gifts and also giving nuts.
In Judaism, the New Year, Rosh Hashanah, culminating on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) is also a time to reflect on one’s mistakes over the past year and seek forgiveness. It seems that many cultures vary in traditions and dates but the idea of reflection and forgiveness is a common thread.
In Medieval times, knights would take a ‘peacock vow’ (les voeux du paon) at the end of the year to recommit to chivalry. Early Christians felt the first day of the year should be a time to look back at past mistakes and to improve oneself in the new year. In the middle ages, Christians changed New Year ’s Day to Dec. 25, then they changed it to March 25 for a holiday called Annunciation. Pope Gregory XIII revised the Julian calendar in the 1582 and New Year’s day returned to January 1 as it continues today under the Gregorian calendar.
Both the Julian and Gregorian calendars are solar calendars with 365 days. Some cultures have lunar calendars which are based on phases of the moon and are less than 365 days. The Chinese use a lunar calendar and their new year begins at the time of the first full moon over the Far East sometime between Jan. 19 and Feb 21. This year is the year of the monkey and it begins on February 4th.
A 2007 study shows that 88% of resolutions fail despite the desire for success when they are made. So why do resolutions fail so frequently? Just wanting to change doesn’t seem to work. Perhaps sharing your resolution with a friend would make you more accountable? Post on Facebook perhaps? Have a partner who can help you set attainable goals at regular intervals. Say you want to lose 20 lbs. That isn’t going to happen in a week. Maybe you set a goal to lose 5 lbs. per month and you have a friend who checks up on you on the 20th of each month to see how it’s going and to celebrate your success
What are some other possible resolutions? Many people make a goal to exercise more and sign up at the gym. The attendance drops after January. I think exercise is an excellent goal , however, if you choose an activity you really enjoy it is more likely you will continue doing it successfully whether it be indoor swimming, dancing, golfing or working out to a video with a family member at home. Make it attainable and fun!
How about the resolution of organizing one’s home or paperwork? That is also a good one, and I can help you if you wish(see Organize to Energize). That can mean paperwork (calendaring at the beginning of the year is good) and preparing for tax time with a great filing system. And it never hurt s to go through things as you take down the holiday decorations and pack them away. Why not donate things you don’t plan to use again, or gifts you got that you don’t want? Tackle a drawer or room per week or month. The main thing is to keep things moving and not allowing it to become overwhelming.
Also, self-improvement is a good resolution to make…perhaps commit to reading a book a week or a month. Sign up for a class to learn a hobby or something that will improve your job or yourself. Maybe you need to commit to a bit more rest and pampering (see my Lemongrass Spa business for a spa party). I commit to a massage a month myself and it is well worth it!
The important thing is to make your resolutions ones you truly wish to work on and keep; make them attainable and keep-able. Find someone to work with and hold you accountable. Make resolutions you care about or don’t make them at all! Be resolute to keep your resolutions. Good luck and happy New Year!