Hello and Happy New Year! It is Angela, the Live Green! Social Media Engagement Intern. Many of us will have New Year’s resolutions as we embark on the new year. There are so many ways to be sustainable while setting resolutions, hence our blog name: Resourceful Resolutions! Read on to learn more about the history of New Year’s resolutions, as well as how to incorporate the three facets of sustainability into your 2024 resolutions.
History Behind New Year’s Resolutions
Did you know that the history of New Year’s resolutions goes back a long way? From paying debts to warding off evil and destruction to sharing gifts, celebrating the new year and setting intention and resolution has a rich and diverse history.
Akitu
According to an article from history.com, the first people to make New Year’s resolutions are said to be the ancient Babylonians around 4,000 years ago. They are also believed to be the first people to hold celebrations for the new year – for them, beginning in mid-March instead of January. As part of their new year celebration, Babylonians either crowned a new king or reaffirmed loyalty to the reigning king, during their 12-day Akitu, religious festival. In addition, Babylonians also made promises (resolutions) to gods to pay debts and return borrowed items. If they kept their word, they would be granted a favor for the new year. If they did not, they would fall out of the gods’ favor. These promises can be considered similar to New Year’s resolutions.
Janus
The month of January was also significant to the Romans. According to another history.com article, the name stemmed from the two-faced deity Janus, the god of change and beginnings. On January 1, the Romans offered gifts to Janus in hopes of good fortune for the new year. This day also really set the tone for the next 12 months, with neighbors and friends exchanging well wishes and gifts of figs and honey.
Wepet Renpet
According to history.com, for the ancient Egyptians, the new year corresponded with the annual flooding of the Nile River. The Egyptian New Year was predicted by the heliacal rising of Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky. This usually occurred in mid-July before the annual inundation of the Nile River, which helped ensure that farmlands remain fertile for the upcoming year. This new beginning was celebrated with the Wepet Renpet festival, which signified a time of rebirth and rejuvenation and was honored through feasts and special religious rites.
Lunar New Year
One of the oldest traditions related to the new year and resolutions, according to a history.com article, that is still celebrated today is Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, going back over 3,000 years during the Shang Dynasty. The celebration started out as celebrating the new beginnings of the spring planting season, but it later became interconnected with myth and legend. According to a popular tale, the beginnings of the Chinese New Year celebration is due to a popular tale involving a bloodthirsty creature named Nian, which is now the Chinese word for “year,” that preyed on villages every New Year. Villagers decorated their homes with red trimmings, burned bamboo and made loud noises to ward off the beast. This was successful, and the bright colors and lights associated with fending off Nian turned into celebration. Lunar New Year spans 15 days and is heavily focused on home and family. People clean their houses to get rid of bad luck, repay old debts and decorate their doors with paper scrolls. Each year is associated with one of the 12 zodiacal animals; the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.
Nowruz
Also discussed by history.com is Nowruz, the Persian New Year, a 13-day spring festival celebrated in Iran and other parts of the Middle East and Asia. The celebration falls on or around the vernal equinox in March. Ancient Nowruz observances focused on the rebirth of spring. Monarchs would host lavish banquets, dispense gifts and hold audiences with their subjects. There were other traditions like feasts, exchanging gifts, bonfires, egg dyeing and sprinkling water to symbolize creation. A unique 10th-century ritual involved electing a “Nowruzian Ruler,” a commoner who would act as king for several days before being “dethroned.” Nowruz has significantly evolved over time, but many of these traditions still take place today.
Over time, resolutions have evolved into goals or traditions for the new year. These commitments can range from stopping a bad habit to accomplishing a goal. Although not all these celebrations are still in place today, the consideration of new beginnings and focused intentions for the new year remains – and can all support a sustainable future.
Incorporating the Three Facets of Sustainability Into New Year’s Resolutions
There are endless opportunities to make a sustainable difference in 2024. The Live Green! December 2023 / January 2024 Newsletter themed “Intention,” sums up embarking on the new year as, “A perfect time to envision our intentions for the year to come.” Engaging in New Year’s resolutions is a great way to envision and set our intentions for 2024. As we embark on the new year, remembering the three facets of sustainability, environmental, economic and social, can be a great guide to developing new resolutions or continuing old ones.
Environmental
There are a variety of different options for environmentally sustainable New Year’s Resolutions. Some examples could be limiting waste, reducing driving, conserving water, prioritizing recycling, committing to energy conservation awareness and engaging in opportunities to reduce our carbon footprint.
Economic
There are many resolutions to take part in that are economically sustainable as well, such as setting a budget, supporting small and or local businesses, increasing financial literacy and being more mindful of consumption decisions and choices.
Social
There are also a lot of options related to being socially sustainable. Examples include volunteering, donating to organizations (monetarily or in-kind), taking part in community events supporting organizations and causes, voting and attending educational opportunities and connections.
There are endless opportunities to be sustainable in 2024, and setting some sustainable intentions through resolutions is a great way to start off the new year. Stay tuned to Live Green! Instagram and Facebook to stay connected and learn about a few of the impressive diversity of sustainable intentions and resolutions of 2023, committed to, pursued and completed by organizations, communities and individuals – all focused on ensuring a sustainable present and future. I hope this blog inspires you to set at least one sustainable intention this year!
Next month’s campaign focuses on “Past, Present and Future Commitment Toward a Sustainable Future – Celebrating 15 Years of Living Cardinal, Gold and Green”, that will be highlighted through our annual Symposium on Sustainability event, featuring Sustainapalooza, February 26 and 27.
Happy 2024!
Live Green! 