New Year's resolutions — making and breaking them — are common this time of year.

But on New Year's weekend in downtown Butler, there was a surprising consensus concerning resolutions: nobody accomplishes them, so who cares?

Well, according to the Journal of Clinical Psychology almost 50 percent of people care enough to make resolutions each year. And those who do are 10 times more likely to make successful changes in their lives.

The findings were first published in 2002. The University of Scranton says it has continued the study each year, and as of 2016 the numbers haven't changed.

“I've actually been thinking about this a lot,” said Shannon McCarren, a freelance actor and Butler High School graduate. “My goal is not to limit myself anymore.”

McCarren recently performed in Atlanta as Katrina Van Tassel in “The Sleepy Hollow Experience” — among the top five Halloween performances, according to American Theatre Magazine. She also is a nominee for 2016 BroadwayWorld Raleigh Awards' Best Actress in a Play (Professional).

“This year really made me realize how much I was capable of,” McCarren said. “There's no glass ceiling anymore, so I want to aim higher, collaborate, and make the art that I want to make.”

Malone Birchbichler, a piercing artist, also shared her professional goal for the year.

“I want to go to the Association of Professional Piercers conference,” said Birchbichler. “It's in L.A. this year.”

But she also addressed more personal resolutions.

“Well, I'm terrified of butterflies — Angelina Jolie is too, so it's not weird — but if I could stop being scared, that'd be cool,” Birchbichler said, laughing. “But, really, I'd like to lose weight, for my heart condition and myself.”

Taylor Overly, a relief operator with Adams Manufacturing, kept her resolutions even more grounded.

“I just want to work hard and be happy and catch up on the bills,” Overly said.

She made sure to keep dreaming big though.

“I just bought a Dodge Dart, but I really want a Jeep,” said Overly. “A purple Jeep — my mom always had a purple Jeep while I was growing up.”

Salesman Justin Anderson was preparing to meet 2017 with a four-point list.

“All right, I have four, but the big one for me right now is to run multiple 5Ks,” Anderson said. “I really fell in love with running just this last year; it's simple, it's addictive, and it's healthy.”

“Two: I want to travel to either Ireland, Austin, or Chicago,” said Anderson. “Ireland for my heritage and Austin for my friends, but Chicago has my two loves——sports and theater.”

“I'm an actor, but I haven't been in a show that inspired me in so long,” Anderson said. “I want to start looking again, find a part in a show that is important to me and interesting to me.”

“Try to enjoy people more and help them enjoy themselves and who they are more,” said Anderson.

Shannon Donovan, junior acting major at Point Park University's Conservatory of the Performing Arts, carried a much more concise list with her.

“Well, I want to go to the gym three times a week — at least,” the Butler resident said. “I want to be in a reputable film, and I want to be cast in a play outside the Conservatory, in the city.”

Her conclusion was a rallying resolution, though.

“And I think everyone should try and understand who they are in relation to others, themselves, their country,” said Donovan. “I want to be more confident and free to approach others — to learn and understand what makes them who they are and what makes me who I am.”

After all, remember January is named for the two-headed Roman god Janus, who looked both toward the future and into the past.