Today is not only the first day of a new year, but also the first day of a new decade! So before we go any further, Happy New Year! Next, I’d like to share my thoughts on one of the most talked about topics this time of year: New Year’s resolutions. The history of New Year’s resolutions can be traced back to the ancient Babylonians some 4,000 years ago. They made promises to the gods to pay their debts and return any objects they had borrowed during a massive 12-day religious festival known as Akitu. “These promises could be considered the forerunners of our New Year’s resolutions.” But the Babylonians aren’t the only ones who can take credit for this tradition. A similar practice occurred in ancient Rome after Julius Caesar established January 1 as the beginning of the new year circa 46 BC.
“Named for Janus, the two-faced god whose spirit inhabited doorways and arches, January had special significance for the Romans. Believing that Janus symbolically looked backwards into the previous year and ahead into the future, the Romans offered sacrifices to the deity and made promises of good conduct for the coming year.” (from History.com)
People today still make New Year’s resolutions or “promises of good conduct.” There are the typical resolutions to go to the gym more often and eat healthier, but I’ve wondered if it isn’t the more uncommon New Year’s resolutions that might just make your year a teeny tiny bit better, more fruitful, more exciting, or maybe just a little more fun.
After scouring the internet, I found some unconventional resolutions that I think you’ll get a kick out of. Here you go— a list of my favorite uncommon New Year’s resolutions:
What are some of YOUR resolutions?