Editor’s Note: Veronica Wernicke is a freshman at UNCW majoring in Communication Studies and is the assistant opinion editor for The Seahawk. The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. Veronica Wernicke may be found on Twitter @itsveronica98. All suggestions and inquiries may be sent via email to [email protected].

We have all heard the phrase “new year new me.” More commonly the phrase I roll my eyes at and joke about with friends. For our —my— sake and sanity let’s start off 2018 without making those meaningless “New Year’s resolutions” list. I for one know that if I tried to make one it wouldn’t even last through the same day. Just like everyone else I would grow tired of “going” to the gym. Let’s be honest who really wants to join the gym for the new year? I’ll happily spend my new year watching romantic comedies on Hallmark. Plus if we’re really being honest you’ve already given up and tossed your list in the recycling bin.

I’ve always found the whole idea of New Year resolutions a big joke and I always laugh at anyone I know who actually sat down and put the effort into things they hoped to start or stop doing in the new year. Really you should be laughing at yourself if you have ever found or find yourself writing one.

Making those lists are just another reason to jump on the “new year new me” bandwagon. Hey you, yes you, how much are you really going to change this year? I can promise making a hopeful list of things you want to do or change isn’t going to make you that new, better or cool person you’ve been dying to become. If you haven’t started all those things before, a new year isn’t going to change that. Sorry not sorry. I mean I’m all for change, but people make these ridiculous lists to try and fit in and brag to their friends.

Plus, we all know what kind of generic and repetitive crap people put on these lists. Things like going to the gym, eating healthier, becoming more organized and saving more money are just a few commonly broken listed items that come to mind. These items are about as equivalent as saying that you’ll become a millionaire, live in a house made out of chocolate and own a pet dolphin. If you really wanted to change and do those things why do you need to wait until the new year? If it was so important you would start today.

So why do so many people —including you— fall for this trap every New Year’s? Because we  all want to fit in with the trend. I’ve for one have never made one and nor will you ever see me make one because I’m honest with myself. Honest enough to know that these list are a waste of time. Again, don’t get me wrong I like trendy and hip things like scrunchy’s and vinyls —I am millennial— but I’m not that naive to believe that a new year will bring a new and improved me.

As cliché as it sounds stop denying who you are and please stop making those ridiculous lists just to fit in. Instead embrace who you are. If you’re a couch potato, good for you. If you’re disorganized but it works for you, good for you. If you’re a procrastinator, good for you. Stop falling for the trap of New Year’s resolutions and be you. Promises made in the New Year aren’t going to change that nor should they.

Even though the clock has already struck midnight and taken us into 2018, let’s all just sit back and relax. Don’t stress over a silly little list —that you’ll inevitably throw out— and instead grab yourself a glass of champagne —Welch’s non alcoholic sparkling grape juice if you’re underage like me and enjoy making it through another year on Earth. So, from me to you all, happy New Year’s and don’t you dare make any New Year’s resolutions.