In the last months of the calendar year, people tend to act more rambunctiously, like some universal psychosis takes hold of most Americans when the new year approaches. Americans indulge in their vices like a farewell, hoping by January they can be rid of their personal troubles through discipline and change. 

Unfortunately, I have never fully committed to any New Year’s resolutions myself. This is particularly true if a resolution relates to quitting alcohol or drugs. It is hard to say goodbye to something when you are celebrating with it the night before! This is the case for most addicts; it is difficult to celebrate New Year’s Eve and change simultaneously, due to the high rates of substance and alcohol abuse that occur during the holiday season. The American Addiction Center surveyed 3,000 Americans who are older than 21. This survey determined that people’s impulse to participate in substances increases by 24% during the holiday season because of stress. The overall increase in substance intake contributes to citizens’ lack of commitment towards their resolutions, especially those that involve drugs and alcohol. 

I can’t remember a time I took my New Year’s Eve resolution seriously, and it seems that throughout time, most Americans have treated their resolutions the same. The first mention of a “New Year’s Resolution” was in an 1813 Boston newspaper; the author remains unknown, but his message still resonates with the current ideology around New Year’s Eve. 

“And yet, I believe there are multitudes of people, accustomed to receive injunctions of new year resolutions, who will sin all the month of December, with a serious determination of beginning the new year with new resolutions and new behaviour, and with the full belief that they shall thus expiate and wipe away all their former faults.”

This quote was taken from an NPR article written by Rachel Triesman called, Why do we make New Year’s resolutions? A brief history of a long tradition, published December 31, 2025.  

It seems that since the conception of New Year’s resolutions, they have encouraged people to misbehave more than inspired actual change. Indulging in what needs to be resolved instead of resolving it will only continue the cycle into the new year.  

Lack of commitment towards New Year’s resolutions is a common theme among Americans. According to a driveresearch survey, only three out of 10 people made a New Year’s Resolution in 2024. Among the three out of 10 Americans who made resolutions, only 9% stuck to them throughout the year. These statistics show that the idea of a New Year’s Resolution rarely resolves or actively encourages people to change their ways.

Reflect on your past New Year’s resolutions. What was the longest you’ve committed? 

Do most of your resolutions revolve around your happiness? How many resolutions of yours were dedicated to helping others? What do most of your resolutions try to “fix” in your life? Do you take your New Year’s resolutions seriously? Why? 

Most resolutions people make are to improve their health, whether that is eating better, working out, or quitting a substance. An article published by Jamie Ballard for YouGov in December of 2025 states that, 

“The most common New Year’s resolution for 2026 — out of 25 included in the survey — is exercising more. 25% of Americans say they’re resolving to do this. Other popular resolutions include being happy (23%), eating healthier (22%), saving more money (21%), and improving physical health (21%).”  

Americans should strive to be as healthy as possible, but it is the unlikely probability of them sticking to these healthy goals that I am observing. The article from YouGov confirmed what driveresearch did. Only 7% or fewer Americans will actually commit to being healthier long term. Is it the individual’s fault for not being able to complete their goals or America’s because of its economy, culture around substance abuse and use of processed foods? Also, consider the pressure and stress of the holidays, which encourages people to indulge rather than change. Americans are set up to fail their New Year’s resolutions. 

As grocery prices are at an all-time high in America, citizens struggle to maintain diets without microplastics, processed foods, genetically modified meats, vegetables, and fruits with pesticides or other hormonal chemicals. The majority of Americans (69%) surveyed by the Pew Research Center agree that, due to an increase in grocery prices, the ability to eat healthy is a privilege.

Most resolutions recorded this year in the survey are things Americans should automatically have, such as healthy food, affordable goods and housing, and – most importantly – happiness. The fact that necessities are becoming resolutions draws concern for me about how the current United States is treating its citizens.  

Although getting healthier seems difficult, there are ways to make healthy changes by creating habits that encourage consistency. This is preferable to what New Year’s Eve encourages, which is intense change with weak commitment. 

Here are some at-home tips to help you achieve a healthier lifestyle that can be implemented or adjusted gradually. The first goal is to eat veggies five times a day. An increase in veggie intake can also be done by filling up half of your plate during mealtime with vegetables! Finding accessible fresh produce is important to maintain a chemical-free diet. Produce, including cheeses, steaks, and vegetables are sold at Chico State’s Farm Store; the farm uses organic growth methods, and cows are raised on the Chico State Farm. I studied agricultural communication and had many classes on the farm last semester, including a class that had us interacting with the cows they raise; they are all handled humanely by the student farm workers. 

Second, drinking more water improves flushing toxins in the body, regulates body temperature, boosts energy, lubricates joints, and supports kidney function. The list goes on, but we would be here all day if I listed all the positive effects of drinking water. Harvard Health suggests that men should drink 16 cups of water daily, and women should drink around 12. 

Lastly is improving one’s health by exercising! It is convenient to go on walks or jogs around the local community, giving yourself goals you can adjust by setting a timer and gradually increasing the time as the progression grows. I recommend following at-home workout routines from the following sources. A YouTuber who goes by gowingannanas has beginners, intermediate, and advanced workouts for home, which I find very beneficial. Another source with a similar aesthetic and editing style as growingannanas can only bedescribed as high-quality futuristic with limited dialogue. His username on YouTube is Jae-ho – Trainer & Physical Therapist. It may be hard to commit to change and grow for the better, but becoming the best version of yourself is always an uphill battle. These tips should make that journey to the top easier because the goal is accessibility and affordability. 

The ideology around New Year’s resolutions seems like harmless hope or optimism, but in reality, resolutions may be excuses to indulge in vices before you know you should stop. People shouldn’t need a set date to commit to change. A set date won’t change a person; the only thing that can create change is a person’s willingness to do it. It’s nice to think we all could become better, but the reality of a New Year’s resolution is like most things in America: without incentive, it dies. 

Hannah Cabral can be reached at [email protected].