A Policy Statement on Aspirational Violence
PREAMBLE
The University acknowledges that the turning of the calendar year has historically been accompanied by a spike in self-directed expectation, goal-oriented language, and coercive optimism.
While often framed as benign or even “motivational,” New Year’s resolutions have been identified as a structural form of aspirational violence, disproportionately affecting those already burdened by hope.
Accordingly, resolutions are no longer permitted.
KEY FINDINGS
A working group has determined that New Year’s resolutions:
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Imply a deficient present self
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Privilege future-oriented productivity over present-being legitimacy
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Enforce linear narratives of improvement
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Create unrealistic benchmarks of transformation by 31 December
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Marginalise those who are “fine, actually”
The phrase “new year, new me” is classified as ontologically aggressive.
PROHIBITED PRACTICES
Effective immediately, community members must refrain from:
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Setting goals
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Declaring intentions
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“Starting fresh”
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Reinventing themselves
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Using phrases such as:
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“This year I will…”
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“My resolution is…”
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“Time to get serious”
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Vision boards are placed under review.
APPROVED ALTERNATIVES
In place of resolutions, individuals are encouraged to adopt:
1. Gentle Acknowledgements
“Some things may change.Others may not.Both are acceptable.”
2. Non-Committal Orientations
“I am noticing a curiosity around hydration.”
3. Temporally Modest Observations
“January exists.”
4. Radical Continuity
“I remain myself, with context.”
COMMUNITY SUPPORT MEASURES
To ease the transition away from aspirational harm, the University will provide:
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Resolution amnesty workshops
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Drop-in sessions for those experiencing withdrawal from self-improvement
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A hotline for individuals accidentally exposed to gym marketing
Posters will appear around campus reading:
YOU ARE NOT BEHIND.TIME IS NOT A RACE.THIS IS NOT A STARTING LINE.
ENFORCEMENT
Violations will be addressed through:
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Compassionate reframing
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Reflective pauses
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Mandatory attendance at “Living Without Milestones”
Repeat offenders may be gently asked:
“Who taught you to want that?”
CLOSING STATEMENT
The Chair of the Committee concludes:
“Change is not forbidden.What we resist is the demand for it—especially when it arrives disguised as hope.”
And so the year began,not with a promise,but with a carefully worded permissionto remain unfinished.
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