Self-growth
Business & Career
Success
Communication
Healing
Relationships
Psychology
HappinessKey takeaways:
While 80% of people plan to make a New Year’s resolution in 2026, many are avoiding the traditional goals, with 44% admitting they never see them through.
Instead, they’re setting themselves smaller, more flexible goals, such as slowing down (68%), putting less pressure on themselves (38%), and enjoying life (29%).
Many are also planning a digital detox in the New Year, with reducing screen time (45%), swapping doomscrolling for learning (23%), and deleting social media (17%) among the top resolutions.
However, while many are setting themselves smaller, more achievable goals, 40% admit they struggle to appreciate small wins if they don’t achieve their more ambitious goals.
Every January, we declare this will be the year we finally take those big steps.
But then life gets busy, schedules get full, and priorities shift. Those ambitious resolutions slip down the list of priorities, and the further we get from January, the more it starts to feel like we’ve failed – and there’s nothing that kills motivation faster.
Headway surveyed 2,000 people about their New Year’s resolutions for 2026. The results show that many are planning to change up their typical resolutions. It’s New Year, new approach – redefining growth not as reaching the end goal within a year, but as the small, consistent steps that lead to lasting change.
The resolution revolution: Falling interest in traditional January promises
Purchasing a home, losing weight, getting promoted, or finding love are some of the most common resolutions. Or, at least, they were. This year, though, many are resolving to ditch the pressure entirely, admitting they don’t have the headspace for major life changes (42%), strict diets and exercise (38%), career progression (35%), and dating (20%).
Out with the old: Why are people passing up traditional New Year’s resolutions?
A lack of motivation (33%), heavy workloads (18%), and mental health struggles top the list of reasons resolutions fail – and that’s perfectly okay. Sometimes plans need to change, and focus shifts elsewhere.
If resolution statistics show most New Year goals fail, why bother piling pressure on yourself? Some 44% say they never see resolutions through anyway, while 13% say they cause too much stress.
And with 2026 unlikely to offer much of a break from the high cost of living, financial anxiety is keeping many from chasing their biggest goals – 53% say they simply don't have the budget to pursue ambitious resolutions.
Breaking the habit: Are people ditching resolutions altogether?
So, is 2026 the year we ditch goal-setting entirely? Not even close – 80% of people are still planning to set themselves a goal or two for the New Year.
Anti-resolutions: Committing to slow living and a quiet life
Not every resolution needs to disrupt your sleep schedule or turn your hair grey. Learning to take it easy and cut ourselves some slack is a skill many could benefit from. Rest and relaxation fuel growth – while stress only gets in the way – and 68% are actively embracing it, having vowed to live a slower, quieter life in 2026.
To make it easier to stick to a slower, quieter life, many are cutting down their Christmas card list. In fact, 43% plan to reduce the number of people they regularly interact with, shrinking their social circle to focus on more meaningful connections – and, importantly, themselves.
Likewise, 38% are committing to putting less pressure on themselves by lowering expectations for the year ahead. End goals are great to have, but every step, whether big or small, is progress – no matter how long it takes. So don’t sap your motivation by demanding too much from yourself in too little time.
Some 42% say they would spend less time in the office, even if it slowed their professional progress. Instead of frantically climbing the corporate ladder, they’re focusing on small, meaningful changes that improve their lives.
Top New Year’s resolutions: What are people committing to in 2026?
Rather than rejecting growth, people are simply redefining it – focusing on smaller, more flexible goals.
Some 45% are planning a screen time reduction, 39% aim to rest more, and 29% just want to enjoy life. For some, that might mean hustling on a side project, and for others, doing nothing at all.
It’s out with the old and in with more sustainable resolutions. Overworking in pursuit of career progress was once the goal, but in 2026, 89% plan to set stricter work-life boundaries instead. Change takes time, though – and 49% worry they might struggle to stick to their new goal.
Digital hygiene is high on the agenda. Some 23% plan to swap doomscrolling for learning, 17% are subscribing to a 30-day social media detox, and 8% are considering a weekly digital sabbath – small steps to reclaim time and focus in the new year.
Budget-friendly resolutions are on the menu, too, with 34% planning to cut dining out or ordering takeout. Other planned spending cuts include alcohol and other vices (31%), indulging in treats (20%), and even socializing and dating (10%).
Progress, not perfection: Learning to appreciate the small steps
Some 67% of people have felt guilty for buying a book, course, or subscription. But here’s the truth: there’s no deadline for achieving your goals, no matter what tradition says.
You can make progress at your own pace, and even if you haven’t made it through the first chapter yet, there’s always tomorrow, next week, or next year.
But even when you do grow, it can be difficult to recognize your accomplishments – 40% of people admit they struggle to appreciate the small wins if they don’t achieve their main goals.
It's important to remind yourself that progress doesn’t require perfection. In 2026, a few small steps will take you far further than an impossible goal that leaves you stressed and discouraged.
Methodology: To create this study, researchers from Headway surveyed 2,000 professionals of all genders, aged 18 and over.
About Headway
With over 50 million users in 170+ countries, the Headway app is the world's most downloaded book summary app. It offers 15-minute audio and text summaries of nonfiction bestsellers, as well as daily microlearning sessions and gamified challenges. The app is designed to help people achieve their self-development goals. Headway received the Editor's Choice award from the US App Store and constantly hits the App Store home screen as App of the Day.
