By Ollie de Winton
The first of January arrives, the gym car park is rammed, social media platforms are brimming with aspirations and goals for the year to come. Not forgetting the Duolingo owl, that hounds you to keep up your best effort of a five-day streak, but as we approach the end of the month, are we still upkeeping our resolutions?
There is no doubt that January constitutes a month of change and resolution for so many. Especially being named after the Roman God Janus – a two faced god who looks forward to new opportunities and beginnings, but who also encourages reflection. Romans would embrace this moment of resolution with script readings and familial celebrations. Around 4000 years ago, the Babylonians also welcomed the possibility of change, but instead, in March, when they planted their crops for the year. Along with the planting of crops, they too accompanied the idea of change with a 12-day celebration (Akitu), packed with religious readings, prayers and hopes for the forthcoming year. The same cannot be said for today’s customs: apart from certain communities, many of us go into the new year hungover from the previous night’s antics, and bursting with immense pressure to stick to our, sometimes, unrealistic goals we hold ourselves to.
These goals can worsen the angst often felt at this time of year, especially with over 12 million people in the UK and Northern Europe struggling with ‘Seasonal affective disorder’, or SAD. Upon comparing today’s most popular resolutions to those circa 1950, this angst is unsurprising. Instead of today’s most popular resolutions of losing weight, being more organised, quitting smoking; in the 1940’s-50’s, society was more concerned about improving their disposition, living a better life or being understanding. These are more positive resolutions which are similar in nature to the aims of Janus, welcoming the possibility of positive change in the new year – rather than recent interpretations, promoting the pressure to change. Psychologists have explained that the “‘ideal resolution” is a goal, which is time bound and more importantly, realistic. These ancient resolutions are exactly this – a broader goal, within which one can compartmentalise elements of change/resolution. They are wider, reducing angst and pressure in quests such as quitting smoking, or falling in love.
It’s ironic that the real change we need is locked within the past; hence it is crucial for one to travel back in time, to change their own resolutions and relieve part of the mountain of pressure we place on ourselves at this time of year. This is particularly true in a university environment, with the summative season fully underway. Hopefully, looking to the past will help our future selves, and remind us of the core of resolution.