Kaylie Campbell, sophomore psychology major. Photo by Payton Stephens
It has been just over two months since the start of 2021, meaning the act of reigning in a COVID New Year has since passed — along with the aspirational resolutions.
With 2020 being what it was, there were recommendations that people should make 2021 goals rather than resolutions. The idea of expecting something to happen, and even after putting much effort into it and it’s still not happening, seemed to be the slogan of 2020. So, the idea was to make realistic and manageable goals for the new year, revolving around things that only have personal factors and control.
The lack of motivation to fulfill New Year’s goals was not absent among the Bluffton University campus. Shelby Case, a sophomore exercise science major, simply gave up even creating goals for the New Year. Case has had a past of making New Years goals and quickly giving up on them, as many of us do.
“I don’t really want to be disappointed in myself when I don’t achieve [those goals],” said Case.
Despite the encouragement to create goals that are realistic and easier to control, Case was still doubtful of her ability to achieve such goals. Along with many other individuals, she is confident the current pandemic would not have a positive influence on her motivations.
Risa Fukaya, Wit file photo by Payton Stephens
Risa Fukaya, a junior social work major, took a chance at creating a goal for herself. Fukaya aimed to be able to stop relying so much on coffee to keep her going. In theory, the goal seemed doable. Although, reducing the amount of daily coffee intake seemed nearly impossible for a college student. Fukaya only lasted three weeks in her 2021 goal, having fallen back into old habits as soon as the semester started.
The real question is, why is it so difficult to keep up with New Years goals/resolutions? The pile of never achieved New Year’s resolutions didn’t just start to form during a worldwide pandemic. This lack of follow through has been around for as long as most can remember.
Fukaya tends to continue the broken goals cycle when she feels like the changes she has to make are good for her, but not absolutely necessary. Lowering the amount of coffee she consumed on a day to day basis would benefit her health in many obvious ways, but there is nothing saying she absolutely has to.
“Maybe it’s easier to keep resolutions when you have someone to do them with,” said Fukaya. “Like how people work out together to stay motivated.”
