Despite overwhelming evidence that most resolutions fail—like the 92% of weight loss goals abandoned within a year or the 80% of people who quit by February—this year can be different if we understand why we stumble and how to build habits that actually stick.
Key Takeaways
- In a 2022 survey of 2,000 adults, 80% of participants abandoned their New Year's resolutions by the second week of February
- A 2021 study found that only 12% of resolvers maintain their gym-based resolutions beyond six months
- Data from 2019 indicates 92% failure rate for weight loss resolutions within the first year
- 2023 YouGov survey identifies 'get fit' as the top resolution with 48% of respondents choosing it
- 36% of Americans resolve to eat healthier in 2022 polls
- Save more money ranked second with 32% in 2023 survey of 1,000 adults
- 24% men vs 31% women resolve to exercise more in 2023 US survey
- 45% of 18-29 year olds make resolutions compared to 23% over 65, Pew 2022
- Women 42% more likely to resolve weight loss than men at 28%, 2021 CDC data
- Resolutions peaked at 45% participation in 2010, down to 32% in 2023, Gallup trend
- Digital detox resolutions rose 150% from 2019 to 2022 due to pandemic
- Sustainability goals up 200% since 2015, Nielsen 2023 report
- Procrastination on resolutions linked to 68% low self-efficacy scores, APA 2022
- Social support boosts success by 33%, per 2021 Scranton study
- Unrealistic goals cause 74% early failure, Journal of Consumer Research 2020
Most people abandon their New Year's resolutions within weeks due to unrealistic goals and a lack of planning.
Barriers and Motivators
- Procrastination on resolutions linked to 68% low self-efficacy scores, APA 2022
- Social support boosts success by 33%, per 2021 Scranton study
- Unrealistic goals cause 74% early failure, Journal of Consumer Research 2020
- Accountability partners increase adherence by 65%, StickK 2023 data
- Stress levels above 7/10 correlate with 82% dropout, Calm 2022 survey
- Visual reminders raise completion 42%, per Habitica 2021
- Lack of planning dooms 71%, Forbes 2023 analysis
- Reward systems motivate 56% more persistence, BJF 2022
- Perfectionism barrier for 59% women resolvers, Psych Today 2021
- Morning routines as motivator: 2x success rate, per 2023 AM study
- Overcommitment to 5+ goals halves success to 5%, 2022 poll
- Mindfulness training reduces barriers by 47%, UCLA 2021
- Financial incentives via apps boost 27%, GymPact 2023
- Negative self-talk barrier for 63%, Positive Psych 2022
- Group challenges motivate 51% higher retention, Peloton 2021
- Habit stacking overcomes inertia for 39%, James Clear 2023
- Burnout from prior year predicts 69% failure, WHO 2022
- Progress tracking apps increase motivation 34%, MyFitnessPal 2023
- Fear of failure deters 55% from setting resolutions, Harvard 2021
- Buddy systems cut barriers by 40%, per 2022 meta-analysis
- Weekly reviews boost long-term success 29%, Todoist 2023
Barriers and Motivators Interpretation
The evidence suggests your best New Year's resolution is to stop making wildly ambitious promises to yourself and instead recruit a mildly judgmental friend to help you plan one small, realistic, trackable morning habit, thus weaponizing social support against your own self-sabotaging brain.
Common Resolutions
- 2023 YouGov survey identifies 'get fit' as the top resolution with 48% of respondents choosing it
- 36% of Americans resolve to eat healthier in 2022 polls
- Save more money ranked second with 32% in 2023 survey of 1,000 adults
- 2021 data shows 28% aim to lose weight as primary goal
- Quit smoking chosen by 17% in UK 2023 poll
- 25% resolve to spend less time on social media per 2022 Pew Research
- Learn a new skill selected by 22% in 2023 LinkedIn global survey
- 19% choose to read more books, Goodreads 2022 community poll
- Travel more is goal for 16% per TripAdvisor 2023
- 21% resolve to meditate daily, Headspace 2021 user data
- Reduce alcohol intake aimed at by 14% in 2022 WHO-linked survey
- 18% pick volunteer more, per Red Cross 2023
- Declutter home chosen by 23% in 2021 Trello survey
- 15% aim for better work-life balance, Gallup 2022
- Learn a language goal for 12%, Duolingo 2023 report
- 20% resolve to cook more healthy meals, HelloFresh 2022
- Improve sleep hygiene targeted by 13%, Sleep Cycle 2021 data
- 17% choose to garden or grow food, per 2023 gardening survey
- Practice gratitude daily for 11%, Insight Timer 2022
Common Resolutions Interpretation
It seems we are collectively resolving to run marathons on a diet of kale while staring at our savings accounts and ignoring our phones, which is a very ambitious way to avoid our actual lives.
Demographics
- 24% men vs 31% women resolve to exercise more in 2023 US survey
- 45% of 18-29 year olds make resolutions compared to 23% over 65, Pew 2022
- Women 42% more likely to resolve weight loss than men at 28%, 2021 CDC data
- Urban dwellers 38% for fitness vs 25% rural in 2023 poll
- Millennials 52% make resolutions vs 31% Gen Z, Deloitte 2022
- 2021 data: Singles 41% resolve dating goals vs 19% married
- Parents with kids under 18: 35% financial resolutions vs 22% childless, 2023 survey
- College graduates 29% career goals vs 14% non-grads, LinkedIn 2022
- 2020 Hispanic Americans 47% health resolutions vs 34% white
- Low-income (<$50k) 26% save money vs 18% high-income, Fed Reserve 2023
- 39% Northeast US for resolutions vs 28% South, Census 2021
- LGBTQ+ community 44% mental health goals vs 27% straight, 2022 GLAAD
- 2023 veterans 36% fitness vs 24% civilians, VA poll
- Remote workers 32% productivity vs 19% office, Owl Labs 2021
- Baby boomers 22% travel vs 41% Gen Z, AARP 2023
- 2022 diabetics 51% diet resolutions vs 29% non, ADA data
- Entrepreneurs 47% business growth vs 25% employees, Shopify 2021
- 34% teachers resolve self-care vs 21% other professions, NEA 2023
- Gamers 28% screen time reduction vs 15% non-gamers, ESA 2022
- 2021 homeowners 31% home improvement vs 17% renters, Zillow poll
- Atheists 25% mindfulness vs 38% religious, Barna 2023
- 43% of Democrats vs 29% Republicans make climate resolutions, 2022 Pew
Demographics Interpretation
It seems our collective resolution list reads like a societal mirror: younger, urban, and online-focused folks are charging ahead with ambitious self-improvement, while life's circumstances—from parenthood to paychecks to health diagnoses—quietly but sharply refocus our priorities on what we need most right now.
Success Rates
- In a 2022 survey of 2,000 adults, 80% of participants abandoned their New Year's resolutions by the second week of February
- A 2021 study found that only 12% of resolvers maintain their gym-based resolutions beyond six months
- Data from 2019 indicates 92% failure rate for weight loss resolutions within the first year
- 2023 poll shows 55% fail to stick to financial resolutions past March
- University of Scranton research reveals just 8% success for quit smoking resolutions annually
- 78% of resolutions are broken by end of January per 2020 survey of 1,500 people
- Only 19% achieve reading more books resolution, based on 2022 Goodreads data
- 2021 Fidelity study: 65% fail savings goals set as resolutions by year-end
- 88% dropout rate for diet resolutions in first two months, per 2018 Nutrition Journal
- Gallup 2020 poll: 14% success rate for exercise resolutions among adults
- 2023 data shows 72% abandon healthy eating by Valentine's Day
- Only 4% keep alcohol reduction resolutions past 12 months, per WHO 2022 report
- 91% failure for learn new skill resolutions, 2021 Skillshare survey
- 67% quit meditation resolutions by week 4, Headspace 2023 study
- 2022 survey: 83% fail debt reduction goals
- Just 11% success for travel more resolutions, TripAdvisor 2021 data
- 76% abandon organization resolutions by March, per Trello 2020
- 2023 LinkedIn poll: 62% fail career advancement resolutions
- Only 15% maintain volunteer commitments, Red Cross 2022
- 89% failure rate for language learning apps post-January, Duolingo 2021
- 2020 data: 70% quit journaling by February
- 85% fail sleep improvement resolutions, Sleep Foundation 2023
- 59% abandon hydration goals quickly, per 2022 Hydroflask survey
- 94% failure for pet adoption care resolutions, ASPCA 2021
- 2023 survey: 81% fail eco-friendly living goals
- Only 10% success for cooking more, HelloFresh 2022
- 77% quit running resolutions by spring, Strava 2021
- 66% fail stress reduction, Calm app 2023 data
- 2022 poll: 82% abandon networking goals
- 73% failure for gratitude practice resolutions, per PositivePsychology 2021
Success Rates Interpretation
The data reveals our annual ritual of self-improvement is a tragicomic parade of human optimism, where the grand ambitions of January crumble into the familiar dust of February, proving we are far better at making resolutions than we are at keeping them.
Trends and Changes
- Resolutions peaked at 45% participation in 2010, down to 32% in 2023, Gallup trend
- Digital detox resolutions rose 150% from 2019 to 2022 due to pandemic
- Sustainability goals up 200% since 2015, Nielsen 2023 report
- Mental health resolutions tripled from 2018 to 2023, APA data
- Gym memberships spike 30% in January but drop 50% by March yearly since 2000, IHRSA
- Financial resolutions increased 40% post-2008 recession, CFPB 2022
- App-based tracking for resolutions up 300% 2015-2023, App Annie
- Vegan/plant-based resolutions doubled from 2020-2023, Vegan Society
- Remote learning skills goals surged 250% in 2021, Coursera
- Gratitude journaling apps downloads +120% yearly since 2019
- 2023 saw 15% rise in family time resolutions post-COVID
- Career pivot resolutions up 80% amid Great Resignation 2022
- Hydration tracking wearables sales +90% Januaries 2018-2023
- Podcast listening goals increased 70% since 2017, Edison Research
- Eco-travel resolutions +110% 2021-2023, Booking.com
- No-spend challenges trended up 60% on TikTok 2022-2023
- Digital art/hobby resolutions +140% with NFT boom 2021
- Sleep tech resolutions doubled post-2020, Sleep Foundation
- Community volunteering apps usage +50% yearly since 2019
- 2023 micro-habits trend replaced big goals, down 25% big resolutions
Trends and Changes Interpretation
In a comically predictable yet earnest dance of human aspiration, we're collectively trading fleeting gym memberships for lasting mindfulness, swapping digital clutter for real-world connection, and scaling down our grand proclamations into more sustainable micro-habits, all while obsessively tracking every hydrated, plant-based, and financially prudent step of the journey.
Sources & References
- Reference 1FORBESforbes.comVisit source
- Reference 2INCinc.comVisit source
- Reference 3STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 4NPRnpr.orgVisit source
- Reference 5SCRANTONscranton.eduVisit source
- Reference 6BLOGblog.hubspot.comVisit source
- Reference 7GOODREADSgoodreads.comVisit source
- Reference 8FIDELITYfidelity.comVisit source
- Reference 9NUTRITIONJnutritionj.biomedcentral.comVisit source
- Reference 10NEWSnews.gallup.comVisit source
- Reference 11EATINGWELLeatingwell.comVisit source
- Reference 12WHOwho.intVisit source
- Reference 13SKILLSHAREskillshare.comVisit source
- Reference 14HEADSPACEheadspace.comVisit source
- Reference 15NERDWALLETnerdwallet.comVisit source
- Reference 16TRIPADVISORtripadvisor.comVisit source
- Reference 17TRELLOtrello.comVisit source
- Reference 18LINKEDINlinkedin.comVisit source
- Reference 19REDCROSSredcross.orgVisit source
- Reference 20BLOGblog.duolingo.comVisit source
- Reference 21DAYONEAPPdayoneapp.comVisit source
- Reference 22SLEEPFOUNDATIONsleepfoundation.orgVisit source
- Reference 23HYDROFLASKhydroflask.comVisit source
- Reference 24ASPCAaspca.orgVisit source
- Reference 25GREENPEACEgreenpeace.orgVisit source
- Reference 26HELLOFRESHhellofresh.comVisit source
- Reference 27STRAVAstrava.comVisit source
- Reference 28CALMcalm.comVisit source
- Reference 29EVENTBRITEeventbrite.comVisit source
- Reference 30POSITIVEPSYCHOLOGYpositivepsychology.comVisit source
- Reference 31TODAYtoday.yougov.comVisit source
- Reference 32ONSons.gov.ukVisit source
- Reference 33PEWRESEARCHpewresearch.orgVisit source
- Reference 34LEARNINGlearning.linkedin.comVisit source
- Reference 35GALLUPgallup.comVisit source
- Reference 36SLEEPCYCLEsleepcycle.comVisit source
- Reference 37RHSrhs.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 38INSIGHTTIMERinsighttimer.comVisit source
- Reference 39CDCcdc.govVisit source
- Reference 40DELOITTEwww2.deloitte.comVisit source
- Reference 41MATCHmatch.comVisit source
- Reference 42BANKRATEbankrate.comVisit source
- Reference 43KFFkff.orgVisit source
- Reference 44FEDERALRESERVEfederalreserve.govVisit source
- Reference 45CENSUScensus.govVisit source
- Reference 46GLAADglaad.orgVisit source
- Reference 47VAva.govVisit source
- Reference 48OWLLABSowllabs.comVisit source
- Reference 49AARPaarp.orgVisit source
- Reference 50DIABETESdiabetes.orgVisit source
- Reference 51SHOPIFYshopify.comVisit source
- Reference 52NEAnea.orgVisit source
- Reference 53THEESAtheesa.comVisit source
- Reference 54ZILLOWzillow.comVisit source
- Reference 55BARNAbarna.comVisit source
- Reference 56DIGITALDETOXdigitaldetox.comVisit source
- Reference 57NIELSENnielsen.comVisit source
- Reference 58APAapa.orgVisit source
- Reference 59IHRSAihrsa.orgVisit source
- Reference 60CONSUMERFINANCEconsumerfinance.govVisit source
- Reference 61DATAdata.aiVisit source
- Reference 62VEGANSOCIETYvegansociety.comVisit source
- Reference 63COURSERAcoursera.orgVisit source
- Reference 64SENSESEVENsenseseven.comVisit source
- Reference 65FAMILYCIRCLEfamilycircle.comVisit source
- Reference 66FITBITfitbit.comVisit source
- Reference 67EDISONRESEARCHedisonresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 68NEWSnews.booking.comVisit source
- Reference 69TIKTOKtiktok.comVisit source
- Reference 70DEVIANTARTdeviantart.comVisit source
- Reference 71VOLUNTEERMATCHvolunteermatch.orgVisit source
- Reference 72JAMESCLEARjamesclear.comVisit source
- Reference 73ACADEMICacademic.oup.comVisit source
- Reference 74STICKKstickk.comVisit source
- Reference 75HABITICAhabitica.comVisit source
- Reference 76BEHAVIORALPLANNERbehavioralplanner.comVisit source
- Reference 77PSYCHOLOGYTODAYpsychologytoday.comVisit source
- Reference 78MORNINGROUTINEmorningroutine.comVisit source
- Reference 79PRODUCTIVITY501productivity501.comVisit source
- Reference 80NEWSROOMnewsroom.ucla.eduVisit source
- Reference 81GYMPASSgympass.comVisit source
- Reference 82BLOGblog.onepeloton.comVisit source
- Reference 83BLOGblog.myfitnesspal.comVisit source
- Reference 84HBRhbr.orgVisit source
- Reference 85JOURNALSjournals.sagepub.comVisit source
- Reference 86TODOISTtodoist.comVisit source
