4,000 Years of Broken Promises: New Year's Resolution Story

Each January, people around the world set ambitious goals—lose weight, save money, start fresh. But what many don’t realize is that the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions stretches far beyond gym memberships and self-help books, all the way to ancient civilizations thousands of years ago.

Ancient Beginnings
The idea of marking the start of the year with vows for personal growth is believed to have originated around 2000 BCE with the Babylonians. Their new year celebration, Akitu, lasted for 12 days and included making promises to the gods—such as returning borrowed tools or settling debts. These acts weren’t just moral duties; they were seen as spiritual transactions to earn divine favor and good fortune in the coming year.

This theme of renewal and responsibility at the year’s start wasn’t unique to Babylon. Ancient cultures from Egypt to China had their own variations. The Romans, for example, dedicated January to Janus, the two-faced deity symbolizing both endings and new beginnings. Romans used this time to pledge moral conduct and improved behavior.

Later, early Christians incorporated introspection and prayer into the tradition. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, formalized this with his Covenant Renewal Services in the 18th century—offering a reflective, spiritual start to the year, often held on New Year’s Eve or Day.

Resolutions That Shaped History
Some of history’s most fascinating resolutions weren’t casual goals, but carefully crafted principles that impacted generations:

• Jonathan Edwards, a prominent American theologian, wrote 70 life rules between 1722 and 1723—many of which begin with “Resolved, to…” His fifth rule is especially powerful: “Resolved, never to lose one moment of time, but improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can.”
• In 1738, British writer Samuel Johnson, famed for compiling the first major English dictionary, wrote a candid entry in his diary: “I have now spent fifty-five years resolving; having… been forming plans of a better life. I have done nothing.” His words reflect a timeless struggle: the gap between goals and follow-through.

As Smithsonian Magazine highlights, this universal urge to begin anew has endured across centuries, even as its expressions have shifted.

Evolution into the Modern Era
By the 19th century, New Year’s resolutions began moving away from religious promises and took on a secular, self-improvement focus, especially in the Western world. As society became more individualistic, goals centered more on personal development—weight loss, career growth, financial planning, and learning new skills.

Today, typical resolutions include:

• Getting fit or losing weight
• Saving more and reducing debt
• Learning a new skill or hobby
• Strengthening relationships
• Cutting back on bad habits like smoking or excessive screen time

Despite the popularity of goal-setting, research from the University of Scranton shows that only 8–9% of resolution-makers actually follow through successfully—though around 40–45% of U.S. adults set at least one resolution each year.

This gap between intention and achievement has led to the rise of a multi-billion-dollar industry: fitness memberships, productivity apps, coaching programs, and motivational books—all designed to help people stay on track.

Why the Tradition Persists
So why do people keep making resolutions even when success rates are low? Psychologists suggest it’s not just about the outcome. The act of setting goals itself serves an important function: it helps us feel in control, hopeful, and aligned with our ideal selves.

From the ancient fields of Mesopotamia to today’s digital planners, the core impulse remains the same—a desire to reflect, reset, and reach for a better version of who we are.