James Van Der Beek shared his thoughts on New Year’s resolutions amid his battle with stage three colorectal cancer.
The Dawson’s Creek alum, 48, posted a new Instagram video on Thursday, revealing that he is finding it ‘impossible’ to keep his resolutions, and suggesting that setting goals in January goes against the natural human rhythm.
Van Der Beek — who previously sparked concern with his frail appearance — left fans delighted, as they praised his ‘strong’ and ‘healthy’ look in the candid clip.
Clad in a cozy grey sweater and white t-shirt, the actor argued that winter is the perfect time for ‘cocooning’ and not setting fitness goals.
‘Anybody else out there finding that your New Year’s resolution was impossible to keep?’ he asked his fans and followers at the start of the clip.
‘I’m gonna say something. I don’t think it’s your fault. I think it makes total sense. Why are we celebrating a New Year in the dead of winter?’ the entertainer questioned.
James Van Der Beek, 48, shared his thoughts on New Year’s resolutions amid his battle with stage three colorectal cancer
He continued: ‘Why are we celebrating new beginnings at a time when nature rests? Animals are hibernating, birds fly south for the winter.’
Van Der Beek went on to share that ‘the time to celebrate a new beginning, and a new you, and a new resolution is in the spring, at the vernal equinox when the flowers bloom and it gets warmer and the birds return.’
‘That’s how nature does it. Why are we fighting nature?’ he questioned.
‘I mean, all due respect to Pope Gregory the 8th who saddled us with this Gregorian calendar system, but it just makes absolutely no sense.’
He then proposed changing the calendar system, stating, ‘hear me out on this one, if March is the first month of the year, that means September is the 7th, October the 8th, November the 9th, December the 10th – you see where I’m going with this, right?’
Van Der Beek wrapped up the clip stating that he is going to take the winter to ‘recover’ and ‘rest’ and will make his resolutions in the spring, before asking his fans, ‘Who’s with me?’
He captioned his post, writing, ‘In the winter, the days are shorter and the nights are longer. But instead of being reminded how perfect this season is for cocooning, eating stew, snuggling and sleeping… why are we being told this is the time to buy a gym membership?’
Fans hailed the actor’s ‘strong’ appearance, with many agreeing that January is not the right time for goal setting.
In a new Instagram video posted on Thursday, the actor revealed he is finding it ‘impossible’ to keep his resolutions, and suggested we change our calendar system
Van Der Beek argued that winter is the perfect time for ‘cocooning’ and not setting fitness goals. ‘Why are we celebrating a New Year in the dead of winter?’ the entertainer questioned
Fans hailed the actor’s ‘strong’ appearance, with many agreeing that January is not the right time for goal setting
‘Looking healthy and strong brother. Praying for your health,’ one commented.
‘Love this idea! Good to hear from you and you look great! Hope you are doing well,’ another added.
Actress Alyssa Milano wrote, ‘I’m with you. I love this.’
Tyler Posey added, ‘Love this. Same.’
Another fan chimed in writing, ‘Me!!! I’m with you! We will celebrate in the Spring! Keep fighting!! The world needs your light!’
The actor previously worried fans when he looked noticeably thinner as he appeared virtually at a Dawson’s Creek reunion in September.
In December, he addressed his weight loss and shared that it was not cancer related, revealing he looked thinner due to suffering a stomach bug at the time.
‘I’d lost so much weight because of the stomach virus,’ he explained to Today show’s Craig Melvin.
The actor worried fans when he looked noticeably thinner as he appeared virtually at a Dawson’s Creek reunion in September
Van Der Beek — who shares six kids with wife Kimberly — revealed his stage three colorectal cancer diagnosis in November 2024; Pictured with his wife and kids in an Instagram snap
He clarified that the drop in weight was ‘not cancer-related,’ before adding, ‘Although with cancer everything’s like, “Why don’t we super size that stomach virus?”‘
The father-of-six also gave a positive health update on his cancer battle.
‘I feel a little bit better every month. It’s required more of me — more patience, more discipline.’
‘More strength than I knew I had. I knew I was strong, I didn’t know I was this strong,’ the star said in the emotional conversation.
When announcing his battle with colorectal cancer, James told People he was getting through the health ordeal with the ‘support of my incredible family’.
The actor and his wife Kimberly share daughters Olivia, 15, Annabel, 12, Emilia, nine, and Gwendolyn, seven, as well as sons Joshua, 13, and Jeremiah, four.
Van Der Beek revealed his stage three colorectal cancer diagnosis in November 2024.
He has since made major lifestyle changes such as focusing on a healthier diet and doing yoga.
Van Der Beek found fame as Dawson Leery in the late 90s teen drama Dawson’s Creek; Seen in a 1998 promotional image with co-stars Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes, and Joshua Jackson
‘The beauty of just taking things a little bit more slowly and prioritizing rest and really allowing that to be the job, I’m just on the journey,’ he during an interview on Today.
The Hollywood actor added, ‘It’s a process. It’ll probably be a process for the rest of my life.’
Van Der Beek found fame in his breakout role as the aspiring filmmaker Dawson Leery in the hit late 90s teen drama Dawson’s Creek.
He starred alongside Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, and Michelle Williams. Dawson’s Creek ran for six seasons, airing from January 1998 to May 2003.
