ROCHELLE — As 2017 is coming to a close, many find themselves thinking about making a New Year’s resolution.

According to statistics less than 10 percent of people actually stick to them. It’s usually the resolutions that are overly ambitious or unrealistic that have gone by the wayside come February.

Making resolutions can be fun and a great challenge though.

The most popular resolutions include any related to self-improvement — lose weight, exercise more, save money, or getting organized. The worldwide web has a myriad of lists, motivational quotes, and month-by-month plans to get you started…whether it’s three easy steps to budgeting, a few dozen tips to lose weight or 100 ways to practice self-care.

There’s nothing wrong with choosing one of the popular resolutions. However, for those interested in taking a not-so-typical approach to resolutions, there are some creative and fun ideas out there with a little searching on the internet.

Resolving to read more? There is a reading plan that features creative ideas corresponding to each month that is sure to make a bookworm out of anyone.

Resolving to make a workout routine, or even a morning or bedtime routine? The internet is packed with tips on how to establish routines.

There are “ultimate” guides to New Year’s resolutions accessible on the internet. A search will garner plenty of creative and practical resolutions, especially ones that can be followed well past February.

Although saving money is a general type of resolution, there are several financially responsible ways to do just that and more including resolving to monitor your credit report regularly, pay bills right after payday, add a month to your emergency fund, or establish and stick to a budget.

History of resolutions

Making a resolve to change or improve one’s self is nothing new. Some believe the ancient Babylonians were among the first to make New Year’s resolutions about 4,000 years ago. According to history.com, they were known to be the first to honor the new year, even though it began in the middle of March.

During the nearly two-week festival, Babylonians either crowned a new king or pledged their continued loyalty to the reigning king and made promises to the gods to return borrowed objects and pay debts.

It is thought that Julius Caesar established January 1, named for Janus, as the beginning of a new year. The Romans believed that Janus, a two-faced god, symbolically looked backwards to the year before and ahead to the future. To honor Janus they offered sacrifices and made promises of good conduct for the new year.

Fast forward to nearly three centuries ago in the late 1700s when the first day of the new year meant reflecting on past mistakes and resolving to improve in the future.

Changing perspective?

By definition, resolution means “a firm decision to do or not to do something; the act or process of resolving. For some, making a resolution might be a recipe for failure — one small mix-up and people give up altogether entirely. Instead, make small adjustments or lifestyle changes or practice setting goals. A goal that is realistic can be attained by making small changes every day, and not just at the beginning of the new year.

Either way, establishing goals or setting resolutions can open up new opportunities and be fun too. Some interesting and creative resolutions include practicing intuitive eating, writing just for fun, taking music lessons, trying a new hobby, doing a social media detox, going on solo dates, following a cleaning plan, meal prepping every Sunday, having more dance parties, and enrolling in online courses.