And every year the groundhog returns – resolutions and their pitfalls

Gradually, the dark and cold season has us in its grip again. The end of the year is approaching. The days are getting shorter and our waistbands tighter. Of course, the familiar New Year's resolutions slowly come back to mind, whilst one sits comfortably on the sofa with speculaas and biscuits – it is Christmas time. "But how many of them have I actually kept?", one asks oneself in this moment, whilst looking at the vanilla crescent in one's hand and having to admit that it hasn't gone so well this year either. This is just one of many examples which shows that the success rate of our resolutions decreases quickly from month to month throughout the year. Usually we simply lack self-discipline. But is this the only reason?

Often one or two resolutions quickly become many, whereby in these moments euphoria outweighs realistic self-assessment. The rude awakening comes only later. Unfortunately, resolutions are often confused with goals, yet they represent something non-binding that ultimately only serves our conscience and anchors us in a comfort zone. Perhaps we also simply want to postpone certain things that will confront us again at the same time in a year. But doesn't that ultimately show their value to us? Instead of falling into the same old routine every year, it might be more sensible to ask oneself what one actually wants to achieve and where the path should lead. Perhaps one should really let oneself drift a bit to find out what goals one actually wants to pursue, instead of rigidly fixing them in advance, only to fail anyway. This is far from limited to the time of study, which gives you perhaps a unique opportunity to devote yourself entirely to your interests and do what you really enjoy. Perhaps Confucius was right with his wisdom "the journey is the destination". 

It definitely makes sense to make resolutions in order to work on oneself. Whether for health reasons or personal ambition. The latter will be the case for many students, especially the first-years who have now been studying for a few weeks. Only the reality is often overlooked, which unfortunately looks somewhat different after the tenth faculty party. But is this bad? I don't think so.

Even if no one wants to admit it, many resolutions probably exist only to be broken sooner or later. However, hardly anyone wants to acknowledge this. The key may lie in realising the things with joy and enthusiasm that one can actually accomplish and not rigidly anchoring utopian thoughts in one's head that only drag one down. This also includes a healthy dose of self-assessment. Resolutions should be a rough guide for what one wants to achieve and where the path should lead. But one will not be happy through them alone. Ultimately, everyone must find out what they want and what satisfies them. Whether this succeeds with or without resolutions remains unanswered at this point. 

For my part, I have renounced resolutions for some time now. Does this make things better or worse for me? Neither. But perhaps a certain equanimity has developed precisely because of this, which teaches me not to take everything so seriously and thus avoid unnecessary pressure. However, this pressure will soon approach many people, because in a few weeks most of us will again face new and unusual resolutions that hang in the balance. 

I had completely forgotten that I too have a resolution. An annual resolution. A resolution that I can recommend to everyone: to be happy.

Felix Thalmann