According to U.S. News & World Report, about 80 percent of New Year's resolutions fail by mid-February.
Sherry McBride-Brown, Callaway County Public Library adult services librarian, has a solution for anyone who feels discouraged by that statistic: Make a "vision board" instead.
"With a resolution, you have to do it, you feel obligated to lose weight or declutter or whatever it is," she said. "But vision boards, they kind of represent what you hope to be: things you're proud of or want to do more of because it brings you pleasure and joy."
McBride-Brown led a class on crafting vision boards Wednesday at the library. A vision board is essentially an inspirational collage: Start with a piece of poster board, a cork board or whatever's handy, and paste on positive quotes and images relating to your goals for the year.
"You can look at it every day and get a positive affirmation," McBride-Brown said.
To make your own, gather a backing of some type, a glue stick or tape, a big stack of old magazines and newspapers, stickers, glitter and whatever else you might want for decoration. Lighting a candle and putting on some soothing music might help set the mood, McBride-Brown said.
You might also want to gather a few friends to collaborate with.
"Even businesses are doing these for their goals," she added.
Take a moment to think about your board's theme. McBride-Brown showed several examples: one focused on travel, another on maintaining a healthy budget. Abstract concepts, like wellness or serenity, are fine too.
Then, start searching through your gathered materials and clipping out anything you want to add to your board. These might include pictures, individual words or phrases, or entire quotes.
"Find the things that give you joy or pleasure, things that give you energy or represent your goals," McBride-Brown said. "If you want to stick a hunky man in the middle of your board, that's all right."
Following McBride-Brown's introduction, class participants are creating their own vision boards.
"This year, we're building our forever home, and I'm trying to get back into journaling," participant Megan Prenger said. "Creating a vision board made me think about (those goals) a little deeper, and having something to look at every day will be helpful."
If you don't like the final product, or your goals change partway through the year, that's fine, McBride-Brown said. Just throw it out and start over.
"If you want to change it out, do so," she said. "You want something that doesn't put too much pressure on you. We're stressed enough already."