The transition into a new year for many means reflecting on the previous year, weighing the memorable and unpleasant moments. However, most have already begun thinking about the year to come, how to improve their lifestyle and themselves. New Year’s resolutions are decisions made by individuals that show their intentions to change a habit, enforce a new goal, or continue a lifestyle in the new year. This yearly tradition dates back over four thousand years ago to the ancient Babylonians. During this time, the group held a twelve-day religious festival called “Akitu,” where the crowning of a new king or queen took place. To them, the Babylonians made promises to their gods and to paying back or returning borrowed debt. Similarly, for early Christians, this was a time they sought to think about how to better themselves in time to come.
Though everyone is different in their goals to better themselves in the new year, various New Year’s resolutions that were started years ago are still used today. Such traditions include consuming exactly twelve grapes under a table in sixty seconds, walking around the block with a suitcase, eating black-eyed peas, and avoiding doing laundry. Additionally, more common resolutions include consistent physical activity, better eating habits, and accomplishing specific goals such as traveling and meeting new people.
Though these resolutions can be beneficial in helping individuals create an outline for their year, Psychologytoday.com contrasts this by claiming 80% of people abandon their resolutions within the first month. Furthermore, this usually happens as early as January 10th, widely known as “quitters’ day,” where New Year’s resolutions are quickly dissolved. Additionally, various reasons such as setting unrealistic or too vague resolutions, having an “all or nothing” mentality, and creating goals to meet societal expectations follow the path of abandoned New Year’s resolutions.
Therefore, there are simpler goals and expectations to set for your New Year that do not revolve around dates and trackers. Goals that are specific to only you are more likely to survive the New Year, as well as something that can be more easily maintained. In addition, surround yourself with people who have the same or similar goals as you to keep up the motivation. Lastly, while external goals are needed, internal goals allow those in need of help with mental health, or gratitude practices to focus solely on themselves.
Sources cited:
Gomez, J. (2025, January 1). New Year’s traditions and superstitions: What to do, eat for a lucky 2025. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2024/12/31/new-years-traditions-superstitions-2025/77333465007/
Kennedy, L. (n.d.). 9 lucky New Year’s food traditions. History.com. https://www.history.com/news/new-years-food-traditions
Morin, A. (n.d.). Why New Year’s resolutions set you up to fail. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/what-mentally-strong-people-dont-do/202412/why-new-years-resolutions-set-you-up-to-fail
Pruitt, S. (2025, January). The history of New Year’s resolutions. History.com. https://www.history.com/news/the-history-of-new-years-resolutions