Why Making New Year’s Resolutions Still Matters, Even if You Don’t Keep Them

New Delhi | December 29, 2025 As the year winds down and the calendar prepares to flip, many of us are faced with a familiar question: should I make a New Year’s resolution this time? Almost immediately, another thought follows: what’s the point? I’ll probably break it anyway. From eating healthier, exercising regularly, and saving money to taking a break from social media or finally planning that long-awaited holiday, New Year’s resolutions have long been a tradition aimed at self-improvement. Yet, time and again, these resolutions falter. Gym memberships go unused, diet plans are abandoned, travel budgets collapse, and social media pulls us back in almost instantly. Even when we anticipate failure, however, making a resolution still holds value. Experts in mental health and behavioral science say that the very act of setting a resolution is beneficial, regardless of whether it is maintained throughout the year. Dr. Rahul Chandhok, head consultant in mental health and behavioral science at Artemis Hospitals in Gurugram, explains that resolutions give people hope and a sense of control over their lives. “They make us believe that change is possible on a psychological level. Even if you don’t keep your resolutions, making them helps you feel motivated, hopeful, and confident in yourself. Resolutions show our natural desire to grow, improve, and align our actions with the person we aspire to be,” he says. Dr. Divya Shree K. R., consultant psychiatrist at Aster CMI Hospital in Bengaluru, adds that attempting a resolution and failing does not make the effort meaningless. “It builds self-awareness about your strengths and weaknesses. Even resolutions that are broken can inspire reflection, learning, and renewed effort. This is crucial for mental growth and emotional well-being,” she notes. The power of resolutions lies largely in intention rather than instant results. Dr. Chandhok emphasizes that a resolution is not about perfection; it is about direction. By focusing on intention, people decide where they want their life to move without being crushed by unrealistic expectations. Dr. Shree elaborates that intentions shift the focus from outcome to effort. “An intention encourages consistency rather than perfection. It reminds you of your values and the changes you wish to see in yourself. Even small steps feel meaningful when framed this way, reducing stress and fear of failure.” New Year’s resolutions also carry what psychologists call the “fresh start effect.” The symbolic reset offered by the New Year gives people a mental break from past mistakes, guilt, and regret. A calendar change provides structure and a clear starting point, which makes pursuing change feel more achievable. “Dates like the New Year help people organise their goals and motivate themselves. Even if life continues as usual, the feeling of a clean slate encourages reflection and action,” says Dr. Shree. Resolutions are not only about habit-building but also about self-check-ins. Dr. Chandhok points out that those who make resolutions tend to think more consciously about their habits, values, and emotional needs. This self-awareness is vital for mental health, as it allows individuals to identify stressors and address them proactively. Whether the resolution is to walk daily, journal, meditate, or eat healthier, even partial success counts. Three weeks of daily walks, or journaling only on difficult days, still provides tangible mental and physical benefits. The process itself creates growth, regardless of whether the resolution lasts the entire year. The challenge, experts note, is rarely the resolution itself but how we approach it. Many people make goals that are either too ambitious or too vague. When expectations are strict or overly rigid, breaking a resolution feels like failure. Dr. Chandhok suggests reframing resolutions as gradual, incremental changes. “Focus on progress, not perfection. When resolutions are realistic and adaptable, they become tools for learning and growth rather than a source of guilt,” he says. Resolutions encourage patience and kindness toward oneself. They remind us that change is not instantaneous and that learning from small steps is valuable. Rather than chasing flawless adherence, resolutions should be approached as flexible guidelines that can adapt to life’s unpredictability. This mindset reduces anxiety and helps maintain motivation over time. Additionally, resolutions serve as a form of hope. No matter how exhausting, messy, or disappointing the previous year was, setting a resolution is a quiet declaration that the future can be different. It gives individuals permission to pause, reflect, and dream. By articulating a personal goal, people reaffirm what matters to them and what kind of person they aspire to be. In this sense, even broken resolutions still fulfill their role: they reconnect people with their intentions, values, and aspirations. The psychological benefits are substantial. Resolutions allow us to acknowledge areas in our life that need attention while simultaneously offering a structured way to work toward improvement. They act as reminders of the human desire to evolve and grow. Even short-lived attempts can cultivate self-discipline, resilience, and self-reflection, all of which contribute positively to overall well-being. Making a New Year’s resolution can also counteract the adult tendency to feel stagnant. Many believe they are too old, too busy, or too tired to change. Resolutions subtly push back against this mindset, offering a structured opportunity to act on personal growth and self-care. By framing resolutions as intentions rather than rigid goals, individuals can maintain a healthier relationship with self-improvement. Ultimately, New Year’s resolutions are valuable because they give people direction, hope, and motivation. They remind us that growth is not linear, perfection is not required, and effort is never wasted. Even if a resolution is broken, the act of setting it, striving toward it, and reflecting on it still creates meaningful change. The key is to view resolutions as tools for awareness and personal development, not as measures of success or failure. As the New Year approaches, the message is clear: make a resolution, not for perfection, but for yourself. Let it be a compass, a pause for reflection, and a small step toward becoming the person you want to be. Even if you falter along the way, the progress you make will count, the lessons will stick, and the intention behind the effort will continue to guide you throughout the year. Why Making New Year’s Resolutions Still Matters, Even if You Don’t Keep Them Every year, as the New Year approaches, many of us think about setting resolutions. We plan to eat healthier, exercise, save money, travel more, or even spend less time on social media. Almost immediately, doubt creeps in: “Why bother? I’ll probably break it anyway.” And yet, experts say making a resolution is still worth it, even if you don’t follow it perfectly. Dr. Rahul Chandhok, mental health expert at Artemis Hospitals, explains that resolutions give people hope and a sense of control. “They make us believe change is possible. Even if you don’t keep your resolutions, they help you feel motivated, confident, and aligned with the person you want to be,” he says. Dr. Divya Shree K.R. from Bengaluru adds that trying—even if you fail—builds self-awareness and helps you understand your strengths and weaknesses. Broken resolutions can still inspire reflection, learning, and growth. The key is focusing on intention, not perfection. Resolutions are about direction, not instant success. They remind you of your values and what you want to improve. Even small steps matter. Walking daily for a few weeks, journaling occasionally, or making small changes in habits still counts as progress. The New Year also offers a “fresh start,” a psychological reset that helps leave behind past mistakes or regrets. Resolutions give structure to your goals, helping you organise your efforts and make meaningful changes over time. Experts emphasize framing resolutions as gradual and realistic changes, focusing on progress instead of perfection. Ultimately, resolutions are acts of hope. They allow us to pause, reflect, and dream. Even if you break them, the effort you put in counts, the lessons stay with you, and the intention continues to guide your growth.