Science Explains Why We Fail To Keep Our New Year’s Resolutions

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The stress around keeping New Year’s resolutions is almost universal at this point. Every December 31, it consists of people promising what changes they will make in the coming year. January hits, and most go into it with much enthusiasm and lifted spirits. However, within a month(s) all those resolutions start to fail, with most giving up on them by the middle of the year or even sooner in some cases. Even studies have consistently shown that most resolutions fail by February, leaving people frustrated and self-critical. There are endless memes and funny posts that are made on how difficult it is to keep these resolutions. But while most generally just explain it as people being lazy or real-life issues taking up space, apparently, science might have genuine reasons for this phenomenon.

Why Are New Year’s Resolutions So Hard To Keep?

Scientific research suggests that New Year’s resolutions fail not because people lack discipline, but because resolutions often clash with how the human brain is wired to function. From unrealistic goal-setting to habit formation challenges, multiple psychological and neurological factors work against long-term success. Aastha Dwivedi, consultant clinical psychologist at Tulasi Healthcare, Gurugram, explained it as “Let’s get this out of the way first: motivation was never designed to last… Motivation is a short-term biological state driven by novelty and dopamine.” However, as explained by neurobiology, the daily routine, stressors, fatigue, poor sleep and more result in that motivation decreasing by the day, which eventually ends up making it difficult for people to stick to their resolutions. Delhi-based Dr Astik Joshi, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, also added that neurotransmitter imbalances in some people can create further hurdles in developing a motivated mindset. He said, “Doing the required action, without chasing rewards or inspiration, is the real backbone of a successful resolution.” Clinical psychologist Terri Bly, speaking with Verywellmind.com, said, “Where we go wrong with New Year’s resolutions is there’s this idea that it’s supposed to be some big, sweeping change, because that sounds kind of sexy. But as humans, we’re not wired to make big, sweeping changes.” Physiotherapist Dr Chandni Tugnait, founder and director of Gateway of Healing, also spoke with HT Lifestyle on why New Year’s resolutions are so difficult to stick to. The psychotherapist spoke about the anxiety that these resolutions can trigger, with people taking part heavily in rituals such as eating grapes, manifestation journals, moodboards and whatnot. Dr Tugnait said, “What is sold as motivation often lands as pressure, and instead of feeling inspired, many people feel watched, rushed, and already behind. That is why New Year’s resolutions, for a lot of people, do not spark momentum, but spark anxiety.” Further, she explained that there is an expectation by people for these resolutions to show results instantly, which can cause more anxiety, stress, and pressure, all leading to burnout. If one then misses even one step or does not see the results as quickly as they’d like, it results in harsh self-criticism and people spiralling emotionally. Dr Tugnait suggested that people need to change how they approach resolution, saying, “Motivation grows when goals feel personal, flexible, and emotionally honest. It returns when people ask, ‘What would support me right now?’ instead of ‘What should I fix?’ Maybe the problem is not that people fail at resolutions, but maybe resolutions fail to understand people.”

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