New Year, New You? - What the numbers say about resolutions … and how to make them stick

Every January brings a familiar sense of possibility. A new year feels like a blank page; a chance to reset habits, try new things and give ourselves a fresh start.

But while many of us begin the year with ambition and goodwill, the data often tells a more sobering story. That said, with the right mindset and approach, New Year’s resolutions can become meaningful, long-lasting changes.

Who is making resolutions and what are they?

Decades of surveys show resolutions are still a popular tradition across Britain. For 2025, a survey by YouGov revealed that 29% of adults in Great Britain said that they set at least one resolution.

Unsurprisingly, the top priorities tended to cluster around health and self?improvement. In that 2025 poll:

• 66% of those making resolutions said their goal was to improve physical health
• Roughly 34% said they wanted to improve mental wellbeing; the same share were considering financial goals (e.g. saving, budgeting)
• Other common ambitions included; personal growth (≈40%), career or education goals (≈25%) and stronger relationships (≈22%)

So if you’ve pledged to make time in 2026 to go for regular walks, eat a little better or prioritise your mental health, you’re far from alone.

How often people stick with resolutions and how long they last

Here’s where reality gets more complicated. For many, the early enthusiasm fades faster than the Christmas lights come down. According to follow?up data from YouGov for those who made resolutions in 2024:

• Only about 33% said they kept all their resolutions by year’s end
• Another 45% said they managed to stick with “some” of their resolutions
• Around 19% admitted they didn’t keep any of their resolutions

Other studies paint a similar, or equally bleak, picture:

• Many resolutions last only a few months. According to a 2024 review from Forbes Health, a large portion of resolution?makers give up within four months.
• Some sources suggest only 9% of people maintain their resolutions over the long term.

Put simply: Setting a resolution is common and hopeful, but truly sustaining change, especially through the ups and downs of a year, is rare.

Why resolutions so often fail

What goes wrong? Research and real?world experience suggest a few recurring obstacles:

Goals that are too vague or overwhelming

A resolution like ‘get healthier’ or ‘lose weight’ sounds good but without clarity on how or when, it becomes hard to follow through. Many of the resolutions people struggle with most are diet and food?related (≈?46%) or fitness?related (≈?44%).

Overload - trying to change too many things at once

Resolutions often stack up: Better diet, more exercise, less spending, more sleep, less screen time. When too many areas demand attention, motivation gets spread thin and the chance of burn-out increases.

Lack of a plan or support structure

Setting a goal is just the first step. Without a concrete plan such as; how often, when and how to measure progress, it’s easy to drift back into old habits. Accountability, routines or social support rarely survive without intention.

Expecting perfection, not progress

Many skip ahead to imagining the ‘after’ (slimmer waist, fewer debts, more energy) and when real life intervenes (work, stress, illness, bad weather!) they quickly feel like they’ve failed.

How to make resolutions stick: What research suggests

Despite the odds, resolutions can lead to meaningful change especially when approached thoughtfully. Here’s what tends to work better:

• Be specific and realistic. Instead of ‘get fit’, try ‘walk 20 minutes, 3 times a week’. Clear, concrete goals increase the chance of success.
• Pick a small number of priorities. Focus on one or two goals rather than trying to overhaul everything.
• Break goals into manageable habits. Setting up weekly or daily routines, for example ‘gym class every Tuesday’ or ‘two pieces of fruit a day’ makes change more sustainable.
• Track progress and build in accountability. Use a journal, an app, or a friend/partner to check in. Even small progress matters.

Celebrate small wins and be kind to yourself. Slip-ups are normal. Research shows that forgiving yourself and returning to your plan is much more effective than giving up entirely.

Why it’s worth trying, even if you don’t “Succeed Fully”

Here’s the important thing: Resolutions don’t need to be all-or-nothing.

Even modest changes when repeated over time can improve health, mental wellbeing and quality of life.

If you manage to keep just one or two small habits, that is still progress. Often, the process of trying and learning matters more than success and, over months those small changes add up.

In fact, among people who stick with at least one resolution, many report lasting improvements to their lifestyle. Whether it’s a regular walk, better sleep habits or a little extra mindfulness - these habits become part of daily life.

Considering resolutions for 2026?

If you haven’t already set your goals, or you are reviewing your plans, for 2026 we recommend taking a moment to reflect and ask yourself:

• What’s the one thing that would make the biggest, positive difference to my life?
• Can I make that goal specific, realistic and manageable?
• How can I break it down into small actions I can repeat regularly?
• Who can support or motivate me when I struggle - a friend, partner, colleague or group?
• Can I let go of perfection and treat slip-ups as part of the journey and not as a failure?

If you thoughtfully consider these questions, you’re already giving yourself a much better chance of making 2026 a year of positive change.

With careful planning, realistic goals and a little patience, even small steps can grow into lasting habits.

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