How New Year's Resolutions Have Changed Since COVID

As the end of the year arrives, it’s time to think about the time-honored tradition of New Year’s resolutions. So often, resolutions are an exercise in self-punishment — an attempt to change yourself in an unrealistic way. But after a global pandemic, many of us have had time to reevaluate what’s important, taking stock of the ways we should really change, and what parts of ourselves we should work to accept. For these young people, after almost two years of the pandemic rippling through their lives in ways both stark and subtle, their hopes are different than they were before face masks were a part of daily life. This is how the last two years have changed them and what their hopes are for the new one ahead.

Cami, 20

My New Year's resolution is to move to a state that takes public health seriously. Living in Arizona during a pandemic has shown me that I need to be in a state that actually cares about public health and safety, so my resolution is to move by January of next year and find a safer place to live going forward. 

Hannah, 20

My biggest New Year's resolution is to put happiness and rest before productivity. I think something I realized during COVID was that my life was fully focused on being a good student and setting myself up for a career. I’m hoping in 2022 I can focus more on things and people that make me happy and less on collecting accomplishments. 

Lexi, 19

This year, apart from the stressors provided by the pandemic, I went through a bad breakup as well. I lost a lot of motivation. My resolution for the new year is to rediscover myself and prioritize my needs over all else!

Margaret, 26

For some reason it doesn't really even feel like the holidays right now, although I am thankful for so much despite life's setbacks and challenges the past three years. I guess that's what I want to focus on next year: Always, always gratitude, both for the things that I've been given and the little surprises life has afforded me in the midst of hardship. But also gratitude to myself for the tenacity and perseverance I've shown through the ups and downs I experience every day, whether mentally, emotionally, or physically. 

Ella, 18

1. Put myself first.

2. Continue to love myself

3. Challenge myself in a sustainable way

4. Open myself up to new experiences with my own boundaries

5. Don’t measure myself through the lens of romance or grades.

6. Continue setting realistic goals for myself

7. Let life happen but be cautious of how I feel about it all

Sydney, 20

My New Year’s resolution is to never trust a man again.

Usraat Fahmidah, 18

If one thing, COVID made me realize the significance of mental and physical wellbeing. For 2022, I plan on signing up for more activities that could keep both of that in check. Like, I already signed up for a half marathon and other similar events in 2022 to practice better lifestyle habits. For me, New Year's resolutions with another year of COVID means making it through happy and healthy.

Jeanette, 18

Some of my New Year's resolutions are to spend more time with my friends and family and just continue to develop the connections that I have with them, focus on my passions like playing tennis and creating art and try to indulge in self care more often instead of stressing myself out with school and work.

Amaya, 17

When I was younger, I used to idolize what a new year could bring, but now I think I somewhat fear it. I used to be hyper-focused on ambition, listing countless goals for myself, striving for perfection. I hope to be easier on myself with this new wave of resolutions. Next year, I will be graduating from high school and starting college. My New Year’s resolution is that for this next stage of my life, I can have peace of mind.

Rose, 23

Recognize and honor my limits — the past (almost) two years of COVID have brought a significant amount of challenges to me physically and emotionally. This new year I would like to be more in tune with my body, mind, and spirit so I can better pinpoint my needs and how I can honor them. This will require creating boundaries with myself while also holding space for flexibility.

Jarred, 18

I would probably say my biggest resolution is to focus on building my relationships. I’ve had family members pass from COVID and seeing the impact that has had has been an extremely sobering experience. In 2022, I’m gonna make it a goal to put in a lot of effort to make these relationships good.

Arin, 14

As the new year dawns on us, my personal resolution is to cherish my friends, family, and loved ones even more — especially my aging grandparents in India since I don't know when I will be able to see and hug them again. I plan to double down on Teens for Vaccines to help as many teens as we can [convince] their parents to get them the life-saving vaccines. Through science and love for each other, I'm tremendously hopeful that we will crush COVID in 2022!! 

Lule, 18

My New Year's resolutions in the past have all been purely achievement based — what GPA could I end up with, what college I would get accepted to, how high could I place with my solo. But with COVID, I feel like there’s so much more to worry about. For many families, income and health were two main concerns. My New Year’s resolution has turned to more of: How independent can I learn to be in the next year? How can I learn to grow and support myself so I can better take care of those around me? This includes mental health, too. In the last two years I've learned a lot about myself and I only want to continue that journey.

Natalie, 18

In the new year, I want to heal my relationship with myself. It is not enough to love myself only when I put a ball through a hoop or when I feel skinny as I look in the mirror. It is not enough to only care about myself when a boy tells me I’m pretty or when a new group of friends thinks I’m cool enough to let me hang around for a little. I want to be there for myself when everything else fails — when the validation from other people washes away and I have only myself in my corner. I want to care about myself enough to feel happy alone. Next year, I will prioritize myself and stop living a life dedicated to receiving validation from external forces.

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