The Most Popular New Year’s Resolutions for 2026

Every year, as the next one draws near, we collectively commit to some change. We pin the transformation to the following year, anxiously await its approach, and vow to start it anew. This annual tradition has a name — and its fair share of doubters. Dubbed New Year’s Resolutions, the practice dates back to Babylonian times, albeit under a different name.

According to Britannica, “Babylonian kings offered resolutions in the form of a ‘negative confession’ — a list of sins one has not committed that can serve as a pledge to continue avoiding those sins; the kings would kneel and recite these confessions as part of a rite of humiliation and purification during the spring festival of Akitu.”

Sure, their timing differed from ours, but understandably so: From 380 BCE, the beginning of the year was marked by the start of spring, not the flipping from December to January. In this case, the tradition hasn’t changed much, even since antiquity. Every year, it seems, we commit ourselves to similar goals — some that have sustained since ye olde times; others that have evolved with the times. These are the most popular New Year’s Resolutions Americans vow to uphold but often (not always) fail to keep past “Quitter’s Day,” the second Friday in January.

The Most Popular New Year’s Resolutions, According to Pew Research Center

According to a January 2024 Pew Research Center study, these were the most common resolutions.

Improving My Health, Changing My Diet, or Exercising More

79% of respondents were concerned about their health and vowed to improve it in the year that followed. This is a recurring trend that triggers annual deals on gym memberships, meal plans, and personal trainers.

Saving More Money or Improving My Financial Situation

61% wanted to save more money (or spend less). Rising costs and economic uncertainty tend to keep these concerns at the forefront of respondents’ (and most other Americans’) minds.

Improving My Relationship With Family or Making New Friends

57% wanted to get closer to their families or find more like-minded friends. It makes sense that the pandemic’s lingering impact has evoked a desire for deeper connections after years of social strain and isolation.

Finding a New Hobby or Investing More Time in Personal Interests

55% thought they spent too much time focusing on fruitless pursuits and wanted to dedicate more time to their passions. This resolution often reflects a push for better work-life balance and personal joy.

Getting a New Job

49% wanted to switch jobs — or just quit theirs. As layoffs loom, unemployment rises and sinks, the search for better pay and more flexibility makes sense.

Something Else

Of those surveyed, 42% put something else as their top priority. Their goals ranged widely, underscoring how personal and varied (and difficult) resolution-setting can be.

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