Have you already broken your New Year’s Eve resolutions? The statistics say most people will do so but will not stick to their promise to change something about themselves in the coming year.
I am at an age where I no longer make resolutions. I know my faults and what I need to do as far as my health. That does not change as you get older.
Here are the top 10 resolutions most Americans made as they head into 2026, according to one internet site.
- Exercise more – health improvement
- Lose weight, eat healthier
- Get organized
- Learn a new skill or hobby
- Live life to the fullest
- Save more money
- Quit smoking
- Travel more
- Spend more time with family
- Read more
Most of these are common resolutions that people make. Especially to lose weight and exercise more. Our health is very important. For those with a nicotine addiction, quitting smoking is a great motivation and also good for a person’s health. Smoking is very bad for you, so I hope that if you made this resolution you can keep it.
We all could probably get more organized with various aspects of our lives.
Learning a new skill or taking up a new hobby is OK, but it depends on your age and whether you are set in your ways. Most people are already set in their ways.
Saving money is a great goal, especially as you get older. But the economists will tell you this is difficult when you have a lot of bills and the economy is not at its best.
I think spending time with your family and close friends is very important. I’ve always been family-oriented because I think that is the way many of us “baby boomers” were brought up.
I believe we all need to read more. We spend way too much time in front of the television. Another one along these lines is to spend less time on social media platforms. I think a lot of us are doing this these days.
I could not care less about traveling. Some people enjoy this, but the older I get, the more of a homebody I become.
One thing I can do this year, and it has been a goal for a while, is to get rid of some of my “stuff.” I guess I am a bit of a hoarder. But I come from a generation that thinks if you can use something in the future, hold on to it. Some of my things are considered antiques, so I hope to sell many of them and save a little money.
I’ve been wanting to have a big yard sale for a couple of years, but I haven’t gotten around to it yet. But I plan on doing it in 2026.
My wife and I know that none of our kids wants to be left with a lot of junk to sort through in the future.
But as one person told me once, I will stop procrastinating … tomorrow.
Why do most people make New Year’s resolutions? Percentages state that most people will not keep these promises or goals past a certain point.
I did some research about the percentages of those who keep their resolutions. It said 23% quit in the first week and that 36% make it past the first month, but then falter. Others make it a little longer, but only about 10% are successful in keeping their New Year’s resolutions.
These statistics highlight the challenges many face in maintaining their New Year’s resolutions and the importance of setting realistic goals and finding the willpower to stay on track.
But one thing I think we should all strive for is to be better people and to be kind to others.
That is something the world truly needs.
Until next time.
(Kyle Lovern is a longtime journalist in the Tug Valley. He is now a retired freelance writer and columnist for the Mountain Citizen.)