As 2023 is up and running, many people are following the very popular yearly ritual saying “new year, new me,” and trying to make the most of the New Year, while others believe that New Year’s resolutions are not as important.

New Year’s resolutions can range from minor things like not drinking soda, to bigger, more important things such as bettering yourself as a person and the world around you. Many people believe that bigger positive concepts are what New Year resolutions should revolve around. “Personally, I think that New Year resolutions have more of a negative connotation. If you are going to do a New Year’s resolution you should add something positive to your life rather than taking something away. That way if you were to not stick to your resolutions, it is not as much of a failure,” spirit shop parent volunteer Donna Adams said.

Instead of doing a New Year’s resolution alone, families often decide to come together and do something that will build up their family chemistry. This can bring up fun new ways to get closer with your family. “A New Year’s resolution that my family has been doing for years is to try all the candy bars on the market. Ever since we were younger, once a week we would go to the gas station or the local grocery store and pick out a new candy bar to all split and try. We have been doing this for years and we still do this when we get together. This has really brought my family closer together over the years,” religion teacher Matthew Brounstein said.

Contrary to popular belief, some resolutions can actually be very wholesome. For example, spending time with family and doing things to better the people around you rather than focusing on valuables is a great way to start off a New Year. “This year, my oldest daughter got me to make a New Year’s resolution because she told me we never do anything fun. So in order to help make her a little happier and bring some joy to my life I decided my New Year’s resolution is to be more adventurous with my kids,” theology teacher Becca Meagher said.

Another approach to New Year’s resolutions is thinking of something that is going to better your life and start the New Year on a good path. Keeping your best interest in mind is always a good idea, especially when it is going to set you up for success. “This year I am trying to really prioritize going to bed early. I have been going to bed very late these past couple months, and it hasn’t been good, so really focusing on getting better sleep is my 2023 New Year’s resolution,” junior Gavin Reed said.

Life can frequently get very busy and stressful, and it can be very hard to take a step back for a quiet moment to gather yourself. Whether it is school, work, or just life in general, it is always good to prioritize your mental health so you don’t burn out. “Don’t get me wrong, I love kids but often spending too much time around them, in and out of school, can be a lot. So this year I am really trying to take an hour to myself once a week to collect myself and just have an hour of quiet,” Assistant Principal of Student Life and Activities Cami Dahlstrom said.

While some think New Year’s resolutions are important and useful, others believe they are over-hyped, repetitive, and fake. Many times, people only keep their New Year’s resolutions for a few weeks, then either give up or slowly forget to stay disciplined with them. “I feel that when people make New Year resolutions they do it for the hype and to say they have one, rather than committing to making one for the right reasons. I think they are just not as big of a deal as people make them out to be. One day isn’t going to change the way you live life,” sophomore Ellie Shideman said.