Long ago gave up New Years resolutions, but I also avoid all those media wrap-ups of the year before.

Don't know why they're connected in my mind, but they are.

The problem is that people make resolutions instead of setting goals. (She talks about goals, but not correctly - more on that below.) Megan wanted to run a marathon? That takes a lot of time and training. First you have to be able to run a 5k, then a 10k, then a half marathon. You have to decide when you want to reach the first goal, and not worry about subsequent ones until that first one is reached. The marathon isn't the goal to set, the 5k is. (I'm not speaking from personal experience - running is a form of exercise I've always loathed - but I do know marathon runners, and I've had equivalent experience with long distance cycling. You can't pedal 100 miles in a day until you're able to do 20, then 40.)

Also, she probably resolved to make too many changes. Reading that stack of books requires making a habit to read every day, and probably reduce other diversions like TV or going out. Giving up processed sugar is a dietary change. You can only do things one at a time.

Goals are not like hopes. Goals are concrete, and something you plan to meet. I have a goal to be able to swim 1,000 meters without pause this year. I can swim that far now, but only with little breaks to catch my breath after each 50m lap. So my first goal is to be able to swim two laps (100m) without a break, then three, then four... and so on, until I can do it for all 20 laps. I probably just have to learn how to pace myself better (I tend to go at it pretty strongly) and if I do that it shouldn't take me much time to reach my goal.

I most certainly would put all of my money into a bank account that pays 8% yearly interest however.

And cupcakes are unimpressive.

Lindy West had this to say about resolution's on Live Wire...
"Even if we can't actually change who we are forever, maybe it's enough, and maybe it's worth it, to just be better for one minute."

Christ, after last year's scare my only real goal is to stay alive through at least all of 2014.

I will succeed or fail 100%. Nothing in between.

My resolution this year, as every year: more p-in-v intercourse.

Right, so youy blow it every year therefore resolutions are stupid. Even if people don't make it the whole year without fucking up once or twice, which is probably the 8% of people who are "successful", taking the opportunity to reevaluate your habits, priorities, and attitude is a great idea, and New Year's, arbitrary in many senses it may be, makes sense as a time to do so. Telling people not to try because they will fail is pretty lame, you could start by resolving to stop it with that.

I'm a big fan of "Don't Break the Chain", but I don't keep track of the number of days I've kept the chain going. The latter always felt like keeping track of the number of steps you take while running.

"How about deciding we’re just fine the way we are, and accepting and loving the things that make us different from other people? We just made it through another year, isn’t that enough? Let’s celebrate that, not criticize ourselves!"

If your goal in life isn't to achieve your goals, that's entirely fine. Otherwise pretty much anything that you get in life that isn't handed to you comes from hard work over months and years. Thinking that you're a person that should improve in some way isn't usually depression, it's honesty.

I've achieved the last few resolutions I set for myself. The goal is to set a goal you can achieve, not to attempt to become the next Gandhi in 365 days or less.

How many of the 8% are liars, tho? That figure seems awfully inflated.

@5 I think the "scare" is the best reminder of our own mortality. Keep doing what you're doing and it will kill you. We are in charge of our own health, the consequences of mistreating our bodies is up to us.