A Brief History of New Year’s Resolutions and Today’s Most Popular Goals

As the clock strikes midnight on December 31, millions of people around the world embrace a tradition that has been celebrated for millennia: making New Year’s resolutions. From vows to improve health to promises of personal growth, the start of a new year offers a symbolic fresh start. But where did this custom originate, and what are the most common goals people set for themselves today?

The Origins of New Year’s Resolutions

The practice of making resolutions dates back over 4,000 years to the ancient Babylonians, who are credited with being the first to celebrate the new year. For them, the new year began in mid-March, coinciding with the planting of crops. During a 12-day festival called Akitu, they made promises to their gods to pay debts and return borrowed items, believing this would bring favor in the coming year.

Centuries later, ancient Romans adopted a similar practice. In 46 B.C., Emperor Julius Caesar established January 1 as the start of the new year to honor Janus, the two-faced god of beginnings and endings. Romans offered sacrifices and made promises to Janus to improve their lives in the year ahead.

The tradition continued to evolve with early Christians, who used the new year as a time to reflect on past mistakes and resolve to live a more virtuous life. By the 18th century, New Year’s resolutions had become a cultural norm in Western society, and they remain popular today.

Common New Year’s Resolutions Through the Years

While ancient resolutions often revolved around appeasing deities, modern ones are more focused on personal improvement. Here are some of the most common resolutions people make today:

Improving Health
Losing weight, eating healthier, and exercising more frequently are perennial favorites. Many see the new year as an opportunity to adopt better habits after the indulgences of the holiday season.
Managing Finances
Saving more money, reducing debt, and sticking to a budget are popular goals as people seek financial stability and security.
Career Advancement
Whether it’s finding a new job, earning a promotion, or gaining new skills, professional growth often tops the list of resolutions.
Strengthening Relationships
Spending more quality time with family and friends or rekindling old connections are meaningful goals for many.
Self-Care and Mental Wellness
Prioritizing mental health through activities like mindfulness, meditation, or simply taking time to relax has grown in popularity in recent years.
Pursuing Hobbies and Learning
People often resolve to try new hobbies, learn a new language, or take up a creative activity, like painting or playing a musical instrument.
Reducing Screen Time
With increasing awareness of the impact of technology on daily life, many vow to limit their screen time or take breaks from social media.
Challenges and Success Rates

Despite the best intentions, studies suggest that less than 10% of people stick to their resolutions by the end of the year. Common reasons for failure include setting unrealistic goals, lacking a clear plan, or losing motivation.

To improve the chances of success, experts recommend setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals, breaking them into smaller steps, and finding an accountability partner to stay on track.

A Tradition Worth Keeping

While it’s easy to dismiss resolutions as fleeting promises, they represent something deeper: the human desire for growth and renewal. As we welcome the new year, setting goals—no matter how small—can inspire us to strive for a better version of ourselves.

Whether it’s a centuries-old promise to a deity or a modern pledge to hit the gym, the tradition of New Year’s resolutions continues to remind us that the start of a new year is a chance to reflect, reset, and aim for the future we want to create.