The 4,000 Years History and Modern Struggles of New Year's Resolutions

Humans Have Been Making New Year’s Resolutions for Over 4,000 Years

Navigating the Personal Landscape of Resolution-Making in a Modern World

The 4,000 Years History New Year’s Resolutions

As December 31st approaches each year, countless individuals around the globe engage in the age-old tradition of crafting New Year’s resolutions. Despite the challenges associated with keeping these promises, the practice of setting and breaking resolutions has persisted as a social phenomenon for over 4,000 years. To unravel the roots of this tradition, we journey back to ancient Babylon, where the concept of New Year’s resolutions took a different form.

The Babylonians, inhabitants of ancient Mesopotamia, initiated the tradition of making promises to their gods at the onset of each year. Their resolutions weren’t centered on personal growth but were pragmatic commitments to return borrowed objects and settle debts. Unlike the modern era, the Babylonians believed that keeping these resolutions was not just a matter of personal integrity but a direct link to the favor or wrath of the gods. A fulfilled promise promised a year of divine favor, while a broken one risked invoking the gods’ displeasure and inviting misfortune.

Noteworthy is the fact that the Babylonian New Year did not align with the Western calendar. Their year commenced in mid-March, a time synonymous with the rejuvenation of spring. It was during this period that crops were sown, and the world underwent a symbolic renewal, reflecting the cyclical nature of life.

The tradition of making yearly commitments persisted through the ages, finding its way into ancient Rome. The Romans dedicated their resolutions to Janus, the two-faced god symbolizing transitions and new beginnings. Janus had the unique ability to simultaneously gaze into the past and the future, embodying the reflective nature of the resolution-making process.

As the medieval era unfolded, knights took the “peacock vow,” pledging to uphold their chivalric principles in the coming year. Simultaneously, Christians engaged in introspection during Watchnight services, evaluating their mistakes from the past year and resolving to avoid repeating them in the future. This practice of reflection and resolution has continued throughout Christian traditions, providing a space for penance and renewal.

Within Judaism, a similar period of reflection spans from the New Year, Rosh Hashanah, through the High Holidays, concluding with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. During this time, Jewish individuals reflect on their mistakes, seeking and offering forgiveness. This practice aligns with the broader theme of self-improvement and spiritual growth inherent in New Year’s resolutions.

In the contemporary context, New Year’s resolutions have become predominantly personal goals for self-improvement. However, a significant shift has occurred: resolutions are no longer promises made to deities but commitments individuals make to themselves. The absence of a perceived higher power, capable of delivering consequences for unkept resolutions, may contribute to the challenges faced by modern resolution-makers.

4,000 Years History of New Year’s Resolutions

A 2007 study from the University of Bristol sheds light on the difficulties associated with keeping New Year’s resolutions. Despite a strong belief in their ability to achieve their goals, a staggering 88% of participants in the study failed to keep their resolutions. The study also highlights gender-specific strategies for success, revealing that men are 22% more likely to achieve their resolutions through goal setting, while women increase their chances by 10% when sharing their goals and seeking support from others.

As we usher in each New Year, the tradition of making resolutions persists, echoing ancient practices rooted in reflection and commitment. The evolution of this tradition reveals a fascinating journey from Babylonian pragmatism to Roman symbolism, medieval vows, and religious reflections. In the modern era, individuals grapple with the personal nature of resolutions, facing the challenge of accountability without a higher power to answer to. Despite the statistics revealing the difficulties associated with keeping resolutions, the essence of the tradition remains: a collective and individual striving for self-improvement and growth in the face of a new beginning.

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