Do Resolutions Really Stick?
The Numbers Say One Thing — Utahns Might Say Another
National data paints a clear picture of how quickly goals fade, yet Utah’s active, youthful, and health-focused culture brings a distinctive drive to the New Year.
Every January, millions of Americans sketch out ambitious plans for a healthier, happier new year. National surveys show that resolutions are most common among young adults — and Utah, with one of the youngest populations in the country and a deeply rooted wellness culture, may be especially primed for this annual reset. While the Beehive State doesn’t publish its own resolution statistics, Utah’s high rates of physical activity, outdoor recreation, and community-driven lifestyle hint at a population that leans into goal-setting with enthusiasm. Still, the nationwide data paints a revealing picture of how resolutions unfold once the calendar turns from January to February.
How Many People Set Resolutions? The Numbers May Surprise You
Across the United States, resolutions remain a popular ritual — but not as universal as you might think.
Nearly 50% of young adults (18–29) say they make New Year’s resolutions.
That number drops to 31% for ages 30–49 and 21% for those 50+.
Across all adults, about 70% say they make no resolutions at all.
Health remains the number-one focus:
79% of resolution-setters choose goals tied to physical or mental health
61% focus on finances.
57% emphasize relationships.
55% want to spend more time on hobbies or personal enrichment.
For Utahns — surrounded by trails, fitness culture, and a lifestyle built on outdoor movement – these categories feel especially familiar.
Do Resolutions Actually Last? The Data Gets Real
Here’s where the optimism begins to dip.
43% abandon their resolutions by the end of January.
Nearly one in four quit within the first week.
The average resolution lasts about 3.7 months.
Only 9% of people stick with their resolutions for the entire year.
Even in earlier long-term studies — smaller samples but still telling — just 19% of people were maintaining their goals after two years.
On the surface, it may sound discouraging. But the numbers highlight something important: most resolutions fail not because people don’t want change, but because they don’t set themselves up with the right structure, clarity, or support.
Why Resolutions Fail: What the Research Shows
Across studies, certain patterns consistently predict whether resolutions fade or flourish.
Goals that are too vague or too big
“Get healthier” or “save money” are admirable… but too broad.
Specificity is the engine of success.
Lack of a realistic plan
People rarely outline the how, and without that — habits don’t form.
All-or-nothing thinking
One bad day can make people give up entirely.
This is called “abstinence violation effect” in psychology.
Avoidance-oriented goals
People are less successful when their target is “stop eating sugar” than “eat more whole foods.”
No built-in accountability
Tracking, check-ins, community support, or even simple habit logs significantly improve success rates — yet most resolution-makers skip them.
The Utah Advantage
The lifestyle of the Wasatch Front gives locals a unique advantage. Utah consistently ranks among the top 10 most physically active states.
So What Does This Mean for Utahns?
Even without Utah-specific resolution stats, the lifestyle of the Wasatch Front gives locals a unique advantage:
Utah consistently ranks among the top 10 most physically active states.
It has one of the youngest populations in America – the age group most likely to set resolutions.
Wellness, outdoor recreation, community events, and family life are central to daily living.
These factors suggest that Utahns may enter the New Year with a different kind of momentum — one grounded in an environment built for movement, connection, and self-improvement.
Still, as the national numbers show, the challenge isn’t starting a resolution… it’s sustaining it.
Coming Next Week in Well & Whole
A follow-up guide on how to make resolutions stick — using proven strategies rooted in psychology, habit science, and real-world wellness. We’ll break down:
How to set goals that survive past January
What small habits lead to long-term success
How to reset after setbacks
And simple ways to integrate wellness into daily life along the Wasatch Front
Until then, take heart: the statistics may look tough, but the story of change is still yours to write — one small, sustainable step at a time.