By TR Robertson
As 2025 draws to a close, the tradition of making New Year’s Resolutions will continue for most of us. This tradition is most common in the Western Hemisphere, but it can also be found in the Eastern Hemisphere. The tradition involves people resolving either to continue or end certain practices, change an undesired trait or improve their life in some way.
Statistically, 35% of those who made resolutions admitted they had unrealistic goals, 33% said they did not keep track of their progress, and 23% forgot about their goals after several weeks. In another study, 88% of those who set New Year’s Resolutions failed to keep their resolutions. It also showed that 52% of those who made resolutions felt confident of success at the beginning of the year. This also showed that 46% of those who made easier-to-keep resolutions were likely to succeed.
In another study, the following cities were shown to have the most people successfully keeping their New Year’s Resolutions – #1 Seattle, #2 San Francisco, #3 Scottsdale, #4 Austin, #5 Irvine, #6 San Diego, #7 Atlanta, #8 Portland. These cities were shown to have the most people who did not achieve success in keeping their New Year’s Resolutions – #1 Jackson, Miss., #2 Newark, N.J., #3 Gulfport, Miss., #4 – Shreveport, La., #5 Detroit, Mich., #6 Memphis, Tenn.
Historically, the Babylonians made promises to their gods at the start of each year that they would return borrowed objects and pay their debts. The Romans began each new year by making promises to the god Janus, for whom the month of January is named. In the medieval era, knights took the “peacock vow” at the end of the Christmas season each year to reaffirm their commitment to chivalry. At many watchnight services, Christians pray for the year ahead and many will include their personal resolutions in their prayers. During Judaism’s New Year, Rosh Hashanah, through the High Holidays and culminating in Yom Kippur (the day of Atonement), one is to reflect upon one’s wrongdoings over the year, and both seek and offer forgiveness. Regardless of culture or religious beliefs, the goal of New Year’s Resolutions is to reflect and pursue self-improvement.
Listed below are the 20 hardest resolutions to keep, beginning with specific ones and the hardest.
1. Resolutions about weight loss and dieting
2. Resolutions about healthy eating
3. Resolutions about going to the gym.
4. Resolutions about quitting smoking or drinking
5. Resolutions about saving money or getting out of debt
6. Resolutions about learning a new skill
7. Resolutions about getting organized
8. Resolutions about reducing stress
9. Resolutions that do not have a specific plan for success
10. Resolutions without clear outcomes
11. Resolutions that do not include social support
12. Resolutions resulting from social pressure
13. Resolutions about being happier
14. Resolutions about spending more time with family
15. Resolutions where you must quit cold turkey
16. Resolutions without some immediate rewards
17. Resolutions without a strong perceived benefit
18. Resolutions about making more money or saving money
19. Resolutions you do not think you can achieve
20. Resolutions about things you do not really want to change
Regardless of what resolutions you make for 2026, make sure you make ones that are achievable for you and ones that will make a difference in your life.
Have a Great New Year and Let us Hope 2026 will be an AMAZING YEAR!
