There is something about the turn of the year that makes us all pause for a moment. We look back at what has been, we look forward to what might come, and somewhere between the two we decide to make a promise to ourselves. A resolution is not really about perfection. It is simply a hope for a slightly better version of our days.
People often think resolutions need to be big. They do not. The small ones are usually the ones that stay with us. Opening a window each morning for fresh air. Drinking an extra glass of water. Taking five quiet minutes before the day begins. These simple habits can feel like tiny acts of kindness to ourselves.
Below is an easy look at the resolutions many of us make, and the ones we tend to break most often. It is light hearted, familiar, and designed to help people smile at themselves rather than feel any pressure.
Top Ten Most Common New Year’s Resolutions
- Get fitter and move more.
- Eat more healthily.
- Save money or spend less.
- Lose weight.
- Get organised at home or at work.
- Learn something new, a language or a skill.
- Read more books.
- Spend more time with friends and family.
- Reduce stress and look after mental health.
- Travel more or make more meaningful plans.
These are the ones that appear on almost every list, year after year. They show the same hope in all of us. The wish for better balance, more connection and a life that feels a bit calmer.
Top Ten Most Commonly Broken New Year’s Resolutions
- Go to the gym every day.
- Give up chocolate, crisps or wine completely.
- Stop spending on small treats like coffees.
- Start a strict diet with no flexibility.
- Declutter the whole house in one weekend.
- Learn a language in thirty days.
- Meditate every single morning without fail.
- Limit screen time to only one hour a day.
- Never run late again.
- Say yes to every opportunity.
These tend to fall apart because they are too strict, too fast or too unrealistic. Life does not change overnight, and it does not need to. A gentler approach usually lasts longer.
Examples of Resolutions That Feel Realistic and Kind
- Walk for ten minutes a day and let that be enough.
- Drink a glass of water before your morning tea or coffee.
- Keep a small list of things that made you smile each week.
- Tidy one drawer instead of the whole house.
- Make one simple meal each week that feels nourishing.
- Put your phone in another room for an hour in the evening.
- Read for ten minutes before bed.
- Choose one day a week to stay off social media.
- Learn five words of a language each week.
- Spend time with people who make you feel calmer and lighter.
These are the resolutions that work because they do not ask too much. They are about making life smoother, not harder.
A Gentle Note For Anyone Making Resolutions
A new year is not a test. It is simply a fresh page. You can write on it however you choose. You can start slowly. You can change your mind. You can begin again in February if January does not go to plan.
The best resolutions are the ones that help you feel more like yourself. The ones that make your days easier. The ones that offer a little hope on the days that feel heavy.
