Photo by Flickr user Anthony Cramp.
A new year is almost upon us! As December draws to a close, it’s natural for people to reflect on the year that’s passed and make resolutions for the next year. Some of these may be highly specific to their own individual lives and circumstances, but every year thousands of people across the country make the same resolutions. Here are the resolutions you might have in common with your neighbor:
1. IMPROVE PHYSICAL HEALTH
Topping the list of most popular New Year’s Resolutions are those that target your physical health, with getting fit or exercising in first place and losing weight following close behind. Many people also resolve to eat healthy or start a diet.
Other less common resolutions that involve caring for your body include working on better dental hygiene, eating less chocolate, going to the spa more often, or cutting out late-night snacking.
2. KICK THE HABIT
Overcoming bad habits ranked quite highly on the list. The most popular thing people resolve to quit is smoking. Another common goal is to stop drinking or drink less. Some people even resolve to quit going to tanning beds! Then, of course, there are always small bad habits or nervous tics that people resolve to work on, such as nail-biting.
3. CULTIVATE RELATIONSHIPS
Spending more time with loved ones proved to be a high priority when researching New Year’s Resolutions. This includes your close friends, your family, and your children.
Other resolutions related to interpersonal relationships included aiming to resolve arguments before bed, forgiving someone, getting to know your neighbors, and meeting online contacts in real life.
4. MANAGE FINANCES
With today’s economy in mind, it’s no surprise that many people want to better handle their finances. One highly popular resolution is to save more or spend less. This may include creating a budget. Getting out of or managing debt is also important to many people.
5. STRETCH THE MIND
One frequently seen resolution is to learn something new. This can be anything from a new recipe to a new skill. Several want to read more books throughout the year. Some even resolve to return to school and get a better education. And, of course, there’s the aspiration to earn good grades.
6. INCREASE PERSONAL SATISFACTION
Life can certainly get hectic, which is why numerous people want to figure out how to better manage their stress. Others want to find time to slow down and enjoy life more.
Striking a better balance between work and pleasure, conquering fears, learning to take risks, and cutting out toxic friends are a few other resolutions that people make to improve their happiness and emotional well-being.
7. GIVE BACK
Working on selflessness is a worthwhile goal. Whether it’s spending time volunteering, donating to charity, or simply doing a good deed, many people want to give back to their community or fellow man in some way.
8. MANAGE TASKS
Whatever the motivation, whether it’s to tackle clutter or reduce personal stress, many people resolve to get organized; some even intend to organize their photo collections in particular. Also popular are plans to stop procrastinating and get to work on that to-do list for projects around the home.
9. SEE THE WORLD
For some people, their resolution is to make time for more traveling. For others, they would be satisfied with just taking a trip and getting a nice change of scenery.
10. MAKE CAREER CHANGES
A good number of career-oriented resolutions are made each year. Some people want to gain a promotion, while others want to get a better job elsewhere. Some people even want to start their own business! Other work-related concerns include leaving work on time more often and talking to your boss to determine where you stand.
11. FIND LUCK IN LOVE
Romantic relationships may preoccupy your mind when making your resolutions. The most popular of these is to stop contacting or returning to an ex-partner. Another common one is to find your soul mate or simply fall in love. Trying to save a failing relationship is one concern, while others want to work up the courage to tell someone they have feelings for them.
12. CHANGE SOCIAL NETWORKING HABITS
Views are split when it comes to social networking. Some people resolve to spend less time sending their friends Facebook messages or texts, desiring to socialize in person or at least make more phone calls. However, others want to get better at social networking, and some even want to learn how to use Twitter. This may enable them to better contribute to a job in marketing or public relations, or it may be for their own personal interest.
13. PARTICIPATE IN OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
Thrill-seekers and fitness enthusiasts may make resolutions such as running a half- or full-marathon, doing a bungee jump, or trying extreme sports.
14. TURN OFF THE TUBE
Research has shown that a large percentage of families leave the television on constantly during their waking hours, letting it provide background noise or gravitating to it for hours at a time. Thus, many people resolve to watch less TV; some people even want to cut down on reality TV specifically. Also, some parents aim to reduce the amount of time their toddlers spend in front of the TV.
15. GET ALL DOLLED UP
Several people want to update their wardrobe or try out a new hairstyle at some point during the next year.
OTHER RESOLUTIONS
Obviously, you could fill hundreds of articles with all the various resolutions people may make, but here are a handful of others that are relatively popular even though they didn’t rank on the list:
- Be a better cook
- Buy a Sunday paper
- Buy a tablet
- Buy less coffee from Starbucks
- Help others accomplish their dreams
- Recycle more often
- Redecorate my house
- Sell old, unwanted stuff on eBay
- Take better photos
- Tip generously
- Trust my instincts
- Write journal entries daily
Which of your resolutions did you see mentioned? Were you surprised that a certain resolution didn’t make this list? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
