By Liv Whitlock

In the spirit of the new year: out with the old, in with the new. And by that I mean, we’re done with New Year’s resolutions in 2024. 

Billions of people use the new year as a way to better themselves. Most decide to take on bigger projects or totally life-altering changes in habits.

“I’m all for self-improvement,” Bellbrook senior Sofie Goodrich said. “And I love that the New Year can push so many people to get started.”

However, by the second Friday of January, most people have already given up on their New Year’s resolutions, so much so that it has been nationally deemed “quitter’s day.” 

This year, Bellbrook senior Simon Marasco broke the mold and didn’t fall victim to the dreaded quitter’s day. “I’m still going strong, shockingly enough,” Marasco said. “Usually by now, I would have definitely thrown in the white flag.”

But to do so, Marasco threw out the notion of his goal being a “New Year’s Resolution” entirely. “I don’t know what’s so different about this year,” he said. “I guess I’ve kind of switched up the approach to my resolutions in a way. I’m treating them less of real ‘New Year’s Resolutions’ and more of just things on a ‘to-do’ list.” 

Goal setting can be tough, but the motivation to stay committed tends to be a trickier feat. In order to break the “quitter” stereotype, we have to approach our goals in a more achievable way.

”Don’t get me wrong, I can set goals and make them happen,” Goodrich said. “But I like to break it up into smaller goals. That way I don’t bite off too much more than I can chew.”

Goodrich’s goal for this year is simple: “I want to stay motivated.” But actually doing that’s easier said than done, so being able to break her goals up into a more achievable timeline has really helped. 

The motivation to stick with our goals ebbs and flows on the day-to-day, but finding ways to keep progressing is key to achieving those pesky dreams. 

“We all are so unique in our thought processes, though. So what works for me to stay dedicated may drive somebody else absolutely up the wall,” Marasco said. “Being able to find the method that works the best for you is definitely not easy either, it’s a lotta trial and error, but it’s totally worth it in the end.”