Resolutions Are an Ancient Tradition—With Mixed Results

If you’ve promised to eat better, spend less, or finally organize your garage this January, you’re not alone—and you’re also not the first. In fact, the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions goes back more than 4,000 years, all the way to ancient Babylon.

While the goals have changed over time, the idea of reflecting on the past year and making promises for the future is one of humanity’s oldest holiday habits. And it turns out, keeping those promises has always been easier said than done.

From Barley to Better Habits: Babylon’s Akitu Festival

Around 2000 BCE, the Babylonians celebrated the new year during a 12-day spring festival called Akitu, which marked the barley harvest and the spring equinox—not January. During Akitu, people made practical promises to the gods: they vowed to pay off debts, return borrowed farm tools, and behave better as citizens.

In return, they hoped for favor from the gods in the coming year. These early resolutions were tied to both survival and spiritual belief—if you broke your promise, it wasn’t just disappointing; it was risky.

The Babylonians also crowned a new king during this time or reaffirmed loyalty to the reigning ruler, so resolutions often included pledges of loyalty and duty.

Rome Changes the Calendar—and the Custom

The idea of yearly resolutions spread and evolved with time. When Julius Caesar reformed the calendar in 46 BCE, he moved the start of the year to January 1—a month named for Janus, the Roman god of beginnings.

Janus was said to have two faces: one looking back into the past and the other into the future. Romans believed this was a time to reflect on what had gone wrong and plan improvements for the year ahead—much like we do today.

Though early Christians originally rejected the practice as “pagan,” they gradually adopted their own version. By the Middle Ages, New Year’s became a time for spiritual reflection, confession, and renewal. “Watch Night” services, still held in some churches today, date back to this period and offer a time for quiet contemplation and prayer on New Year’s Eve.

The Phrase “New Year’s Resolution” Is Surprisingly Young

Despite the long history, the actual phrase “New Year’s resolutions” didn’t appear in print until 1813, when it showed up in a Boston newspaper. Since then, the practice has become deeply woven into American culture.

Today, about 40–50 percent of U.S. adults say they make New Year’s resolutions, according to surveys by YouGov and other research organizations.

Popular modern goals include:

• Getting healthier
• Saving more money
• Spending less time on screens
• Learning a new skill or hobby
• Getting organized

Do People Actually Keep Them?

That’s where things get tricky. According to University of Scranton research, about:

• 75% of people stick to their resolution for the first week
• 46% make it past six months
• Only 8–12% stay on track all year long

In fact, several unofficial holidays have popped up to mark the downfall. Dates between January 12 and January 19 have been called “Quitter’s Day” by fitness apps and survey companies, marking the time when many people give up.

However, some research suggests many Americans stick with their goals until mid-February, meaning there’s still hope if you’re struggling by week two.

Why Resolutions Still Matter

Even if they’re hard to keep, resolutions can still be helpful. Experts say setting goals—even small ones—can give you direction, motivation, and a sense of renewal.

The key? Be specific. Instead of saying “get fit,” aim for “walk 20 minutes three times a week.” Instead of “save money,” try “cut $50 from my grocery bill each month.” Clear, realistic goals tend to stick better than vague hopes.

So whether your resolution is to read more books, cook more meals at home, or simply be kinder to yourself, remember: you’re part of a tradition that started with barley fields and borrowed tools, and still marches on—one January at a time.