By Avery Walker

New Year’s Resolutions: we are all familiar with the concept. In fact, by this point you probably either look forward every year to the opportunity for change or have sworn off the whole concept of resolutions as empty promises likely to be broken by February. How is it that January first and turning over a new leaf became so entwined? The answer comes both from history and the psychology behind change.

4,000 years ago, the ancient Babylonians celebrated with a festival marking the changeover of the new year. Akitu, a massive twelve-day celebration, occurred at the beginning of the planting season and was a time of reflection and re-dedication to the Babylonian’s religious beliefs. It is this ancient people group who are credited with the first concept of New Year’s resolutions. Julius Caesar changed the New Year to January first in the year 46 B.C., naming the first month of the Roman calendar after the Roman god who signified looking at the past and looking toward the future. This further solidified the concept of the New Year being a time to look back at the last year through the lens of self-reflection, and to look ahead with a resolve to do better or fulfill certain promises. Whereas the Greco-Roman New Year celebrations often included revelry and excess, the early church distinguished itself by choosing to spend the New Year in prayer and fasting. This tradition of repentance and spiritual resolution continued for centuries, with John Wesley popularizing the concept of Covenant Renewal Services after attending a Moravian Watchnight service in 1738. Following Jesus’ example of solemnity and prayer before important days and decisions, Watchnight or Covenant Renewal services were designed to be a time of introspection, confession, and spiritual re-commitment.

Although historically rooted in religion, New Year’s resolutions have become widely secularized in today’s society, with many resolutions having to do with financial goals, physical fitness, relationships, or lifestyle changes. Whether your goals are physical, mental, financial, or spiritual in nature, what is the key to making real change stick, and why start January first?

This is where the psychology of change comes into play. Any change first requires contemplation. Impulsive decisions without contemplation rarely last as long as changes made after reflection and consideration. The known deadline of New Year’s eve provides a natural timeline for prioritizing the evaluation of recent history and then implementing desired changes. Without deadlines, we often find ourselves putting off thinking about difficult things or postponing hard changes.

Change also requires introspection. Though it goes hand-in-hand with contemplation, introspection requires us to look deep into ourselves for the root of our own behaviors and habits. The nostalgia, traditions, and oftentimes the return to childhood homes associated with the holidays can bring with it a sense of melancholy and self-awareness. While it may sound negative, it is a perfect setting for preparing one’s heart and mind for the reflection and meditation needed for change.

While most of us make it through the processes of contemplation and introspection that lead to making a resolution, many fall off the proverbial wagon at the crucial stage of preparation. Waking up January first and starting a new diet probably will not work without first researching, meal planning, and even food prepping before the day the change will take place. The cultural integration of New Year’s resolutions and the first of the year actually helps to facilitate this stage of change, as many stores and websites run specials on popular healthcare items, gyms and community centers often waive membership fees for a time, and the holiday break from school and work (if used wisely) can create extra time for preparation. For spiritual resolutions, many scripture reading plans begin the first of the year, as well as devotionals, or other year-long curriculums. Even spiritual or mental goals require preparation. So be sure not to neglect this critical stage if you want lasting change.

Though it is true that January first seems to be made for change because of its historical and nearly global cultural association with resolutions, do not be discouraged if you already broke one of your New Year’s resolutions this year. January first may be intrinsically set up for change, but every day is a fresh opportunity. All it takes is the will to change, and some careful thought and preparation, and with a little work we can take steps to see the improvements we want to make in ourselves begin to take shape.