On how to break NY Resolutions minus the guilt

The new year bought with itself old shenanigans – of covidiots, indifference, and a to-do list for the first week of January repurposed from the previous decade. ⁣⁣
“Resolution” is derived from Latin “resolvere” which means to “break into parts, or loosen”. Now, to solve a problem, it needs to be “broken down into parts” only then can it be finally “determined”. ⁣
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This determination or “resolve” became what is traditionally taken to mean a “Resolution” in the 1780s. The Babylonians made promises to Gods to return debts at the beginning of the calendar year. So did the Romans, who made promises to the two-faced god of doorways, Janus. ⁣
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A folio from Minnesänger's Codex. It depicts the "Vow of the Peacock", a medieval tradition wherein every New Year the knights restored their ideals of chivalry by swearing over a peacock feather.

All said and done, turn to Etymology when you skip that gym regimen on January 2nd, or have your second pizza of the day, three days after swearing off junk (like me). ⁣
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Because as far as we are concerned, Resolutions are, literally, meant to be "broken".⁣
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