Resolution is defined as a firm decision to do or not do something. New Year’s is approaching and with it those often-discussed resolutions. Approximately 45% of Americans make a new year’s resolution. For some, that means a new gym membership, a determination to eat better, and plans to incorporate an exercise routine into their life. For others, spending more time with their family and friends and strengthening those bonds is a priority. Creating resolutions is a tradition performed by many however very few know the beginnings of this yearly tradition. Pour some hot chocolate, put on your thermal socks, turn on your heated blanket and continue reading to discover the beginning of this annual tradition.
The first New Year’s resolutions are believed to be made by the ancient Babylonians almost 4,000 years ago. The Babylonians are also the first to hold celebrations in honor of the new year. However, the new year began when the crops were planted in mid-March, not in January. The Babylonians hosted a twelve-day religious festival, called Akitu, where they crowned a new king or promised to stay loyal to the current king. They also made promises to the gods to pay their debts and return any objects they borrowed. These promises were the beginning of the modern-day resolution.
After discovering this tradition began in March, I wanted to know when and why it changed to January. Et tu? Approximately 46 B.C., the Roman emperor Julius Caesar decided to rearrange the calendar and established January 1 as the beginning of the new year. January is named after the Roman God Janus, the two-faced god whose spirit inhabited doorways and arches. Romans believed Janus symbolically looked back into the previous year and into the future. The Romans made sacrifices to Janus and made promises of good behavior for the upcoming year.
New Year’s resolutions started as religious celebrations making resolutions to deities. Today, resolutions cover a vast array of behaviors and have mostly shifted to nonreligious resolutions. Most historians believe the transition happened around the late 18th century during the post-Enlightenment era. However, there is no consensus among historians why this shift took place. Historians speculate the reason for the shift is due to living in a period of surplus and excess where societal needs are not as extreme and society itself is more individualized.
The new year brings the opportunity to create resolutions that better yourself personally or professionally. Whether your resolution is to improve your health, career, or relationships, I wish you the best and look forward to your success!
The History of New Year’s Resolutions