Why most Americans over 65 skip New Year's resolutions (but maybe shouldn't)

Here's a surprising statistic: only 14% of Americans 65 and older plan to make New Year's resolutions for 2025, compared to nearly 60% of adults under 30. If you're part of that 86% majority, you're in good company—but you might also be missing out on one of humanity's oldest traditions for self-improvement.

The practice of making New Year's promises isn't some modern self-help fad.

It's a ritual that stretches back nearly 4,000 years, proving that the desire to reinvent ourselves come January isn't just youthful optimism—it's a fundamental human impulse that has endured across civilizations.

Ancient wisdom meets modern skepticism

The Babylonians were the original resolution-makers, though they celebrated their new year in spring rather than January.

Their festivals centered around gratitude to the gods and public vows of accountability.

These weren't casual promises—failing to keep them was believed to invite divine wrath.

The Romans later moved New Year's Day to January 1st and added their own twist: 'supernatural spring cleaning.'

They'd clean their homes, stock pantries, pay off debts, and return borrowed items.

Sound familiar? These practical elements of renewal mirror what many Americans still prioritize today.

When European colonists brought these traditions to America, the Puritans transformed them into something more introspective.

They favored quiet reflection over celebration, with churches holding special 'Sabbath sermons' on the first Sunday of each year about making better use of fleeting time.

New England theologian Jonathan Edwards took this seriously, creating 70 personal resolutions over several years.

One gem: "never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it"—essentially, a 1720s pledge to stop gossiping.

Also read: 9 Delicious New Year’s foods that promise luck and prosperity

The great generational divide

Fast-forward to 2025, and we see a fascinating pattern.

While 31% of Americans overall will be making New Year's resolutions, older Americans have largely stepped away from the practice.

It's not just a small difference—it's a generational chasm.

Why the reluctance?

Part of it might be wisdom earned through experience.

After decades of January gym memberships and diet attempts, many seniors have developed a healthy skepticism about dramatic life changes.

They've learned that meaningful change happens gradually, not because a calendar page turns.

There's also a practical element.

For 45- to 64-year-olds, the most common resolutions are improving physical health and eating healthier, while around half of Americans aged 55 and above made eating healthy their top New Year's resolution.

These aren't vanity goals—they're serious health commitments that require sustainable approaches, not January bursts of enthusiasm.

Also read: The surprising stories behind America's cherished Christmas traditions

When resolutions actually work for seniors

Despite the low participation rates, research suggests older adults might actually be better positioned for successful resolutions than younger people.

They have more life experience, better understanding of what works for them, and often more control over their daily schedules.

The key is choosing the right approach.

Healthcare experts recommend that seniors focus on what they call "SMART" goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

Instead of "exercise more," try "attend water aerobics twice a week for three months."

This strategy acknowledges something important: at this stage of life, small, consistent changes often yield bigger results than dramatic overhauls.

Also read: How to stick with your New Year’s goals long after January

The surprising persistence of ancient goals

What's remarkable about New Year's resolutions is how little the actual goals have changed over millennia.

Today's top resolution—saving more money—is not far from those ancient Romans paying off their debts each January.

Newspaper archives from the early 1900s show similar patterns.

A 1912 Sacramento Star article described New Year's as "a time to swear off bad habits."

The 1938 Miami Daily News warned female readers against making 'glittering resolutions which you know in your heart are as brittle as Christmas tree ornaments.'

Even the skepticism isn't new.

A 1937 Fort Myers News-Press article featured psychologists claiming New Year's resolutions don't work—nearly 90 years ago.

Some things never change.

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The health imperative for older Americans

For seniors, certain resolutions aren't just nice-to-haves—they're essential for maintaining independence and quality of life.

Falls are the leading cause of injury for Americans over 65, with one in four older Americans falling each year.

This makes balance and strength training legitimate New Year's priorities, not vanity projects.

Similarly, nutrition goals take on new significance when managing chronic conditions or preventing age-related muscle loss becomes crucial.

The American Geriatrics Society specifically recommends that older adults consider resolutions around regular medical checkups, medication management, and staying socially connected—goals that might seem mundane but can dramatically impact longevity and life satisfaction.

Also read: The surprising stories behind America's cherished Christmas traditions

Modern tools for ancient wisdom

Technology has given seniors new ways to approach old goals.

Apps designed for older adults can help track medications, monitor physical activity, and even facilitate video calls with distant family members.

These tools can turn vague intentions into measurable progress.

Social support remains crucial.

Having a walking partner, joining a book club, or committing to regular family dinners provides the accountability that makes resolutions stick.

Research consistently shows that shared goals are more likely to succeed than solo efforts.

Social support, whether through walking partners or weekly check-ins, helps turn resolutions into lasting habits. Image Source: Pexels / Çağrı Kurt.

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The wisdom of selective resolution-making

Perhaps older Americans have it right by being more selective about resolutions.

After decades of life experience, they've learned to distinguish between changes they genuinely want to make and changes they think they should make.

This selectivity isn't cynicism—it's wisdom.

When a 70-year-old commits to a walking program or decides to learn a new skill, they're often more likely to follow through because the goal aligns with their authentic priorities rather than external expectations.

The low participation rate among seniors might actually reflect a mature understanding of how real change works.

Instead of dramatic January transformations, many older adults practice continuous, gradual improvement throughout the year.

Also read: America’s oldest family grocery blends tradition with a charm that never fades

The timeless appeal of fresh starts

Whether you're part of the 14% of seniors making resolutions or the 86% who aren't, the New Year still offers something valuable—a natural pause for reflection.

The ancient Babylonians understood this, the colonial Puritans embraced it, and modern Americans continue the tradition in their own ways.

The beauty of this 4,000-year-old practice isn't in its success rate—which, frankly, has always been pretty dismal.

It's in the hope it represents—that we're never too old to envision a better version of ourselves, even if our approach becomes more thoughtful and measured with age.

Read next:

• Make your artificial Christmas tree last two decades—here’s how smart storage pays off big
• Christmas made brighter: Celebrating joy and togetherness as a senior
• Feeling left out on Christmas? Here are 12 fun ways to make the day your own!

Key Takeaways

• The tradition of making New Year’s resolutions dates back nearly 4,000 years to ancient Babylonia, where festivals marked gratitude to the gods and vows of accountability for the year ahead.
• Roman celebrations later established January 1 as the start of the new year, introducing practical customs like cleaning homes, paying debts, and returning borrowed items.
• In Colonial America, Puritans and early theologians such as Jonathan Edwards transformed the ritual into a moral exercise through “Sabbath sermons” that encouraged reflection and self-improvement.
• Historical newspapers from the early 1900s reveal that today’s goals and skepticism are nothing new—people have long sworn off bad habits, made lofty promises, and questioned whether resolutions truly work.

What's your take on New Year's resolutions? Have you found approaches that actually work, or do you prefer making changes throughout the year instead?

Share your thoughts and strategies—your experience might just help someone else succeed where statistics suggest most of us fail.