The annual tradition of New Year’s resolutions appears to be waning in popularity, as Americans increasingly pursue self-improvement throughout the year, fueled by trends promoted on social media. A report from Brandwatch found that mentions of New Year’s resolutions fell by 50 percent last holiday season compared to the year prior.
A Shift in Self-Improvement
While self-improvement is still a focus, it’s no longer confined to January. Influencers promote “glow up” challenges in the spring and summer, followed by more intensive programs like the “Great Lock-In Challenge” and “Winter Arc.” These often emphasize minimizing distractions—even social ones—in pursuit of personal transformation.
However, experts suggest that abandoning New Year’s resolutions may mean losing a valuable communal experience. While beginning a fresh start is possible at any time, the tradition offered a shared moment to reflect on well-being and its connection to others.
From Community to Individual Goals
Historically, New Year’s wasn’t solely about personal achievement. In ancient Rome, people asked Janus, the god of transitions, to ensure flourishing harvests and good health for their households. Even in 1947, the most popular resolution in the U.S., according to a Gallup poll, was to “improve my disposition, be more understanding, control my temper”—a goal focused on interpersonal relationships. Last year, however, resolutions were primarily centered on exercise, health, and diet.
Shared resolutions may be more effective than individual ones. Psychologist Tim Kurz of the University of Western Australia explained that observing others engage in positive behaviors can encourage similar actions. This “permeability” can also work in reverse, but can be leveraged for good, such as a partner’s actions reminding someone to follow through on a commitment.
Furthermore, setting goals with others can mitigate “do-gooder derogation”—the tendency to resent those perceived as more virtuous. A family working toward a shared goal is less likely to undermine an individual’s efforts than if that person were pursuing a goal alone.
The Power of Collective Intentions
Resolutions focused on others also tend to be more sustainable. Willpower is finite and diminishes under stress, making purely self-serving goals more likely to fail. Psychologist David Desteno wrote that human success historically depended on “strong social bonds” and mutual support. Shared resolutions can serve as a reminder of our interconnectedness and encourage a broader definition of self-improvement.
However, shared resolutions aren’t foolproof. Success depends on choosing reliable partners and avoiding “collective rationalization”—where one person’s failure leads to the abandonment of the goal by all.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is “do-gooder derogation”?
“Do-gooder derogation” is a quirk of psychology in which humans tend to find people who are more moralistic than us and are behaving more virtuously than us really annoying, potentially undermining their efforts.
How have New Year’s resolutions changed over time?
Historically, New Year’s resolutions were often communal and focused on religious observance, debt repayment, and good conduct. More recently, they have become increasingly individualized and centered on personal health and fitness.
What does Tim Kurz say about the effectiveness of shared resolutions?
Tim Kurz, a psychology professor at the University of Western Australia, says that seeing someone in our environment engaging in a certain behavior can nudge us to do it too, making shared resolutions potentially more effective than solo efforts.
Ultimately, focusing on the communal—recognizing that our well-being is intertwined with that of others—may be the key to lasting self-improvement.