“New year, new me,” thousands of Twitter users halfheartedly claim as the clock strikes midnight. But has anything really changed? With the start of 2016, many pledge to lose weight, save money, and get organized but avoid the effort actually required to change. According to the University of Scranton, just eight percent of people achieve their New Year’s resolutions. However, I have no disdain for those who make shallow New Year’s resolutions. In fact, as a self-proclaimed resolution-beaker, I truly believe there is benefit to be had from simply recognizing changes you want to see, regardless if you actually end up trying kale.

When we make our lists of New Year’s resolutions, we realize the abstract concept of our ideal self into a concrete, attainable sense of our real self. It’s psychology. By outlining my resolutions, I am formally recognizing what’s important to me, focusing on what I value, and bringing such aspects of my life to attention. The new year allows a time for reflection and reorganization, for restarting and renewing.

And don’t be mistaken: New Year’s resolutions are not merely the cookie-cutter options that we hear too much about. Do I value the slight benefits of closely managing my money? Not really, so it wouldn’t make sense for me to take the time to do so. Do I really care about making gains? If not, then I recognize that joining a gym is waste of time. What I appreciate about myself is not influenced by that of anyone else. And the start of the new year is as good of a time as any to rekindle this sense of self-assurance.

My New Year’s resolutions are simple. They are unusual. But they embody what I truly value. Don’t worry about the short term as much. Approach stress positively. Be more compassionate. Avoid anger. Treat yourself. Whether I achieve them or not does not matter. I have been able to acknowledge what exactly I value and what I can do to continue to do so (at least for the next twelve months).