DeepDive: The Meaning of New Year’s Resolutions in 2026
New Year’s resolutions are deeply embedded in our New Year’s Eve traditions. Every year, some people proclaim: make resolutions and pursue them: new year, new opportunities. Others, however, reject the idea entirely, arguing that resolutions are only achieved by a select few. The entire world participates in this tradition, which originated around 4,000 years ago and eventually took on its modern form in the late 19th century.
In this DeepDive, we explore the trends shaping New Year’s resolutions today. Are we seeing a shift in the nature of resolutions, or is an entirely new approach emerging?
Key takeaways
- The new generation is using resolutions primarily as a way to stimulate offline behavior and to place greater focus on themselves, particularly on a mental level.
- The behavior of others, through videos and influencers, shapes ambitions related to New Year’s resolutions, both positively and negatively.
- Resolutions are no longer limited to the start of the year. The gamification of life plays a role here as well: smaller levels, with new resolutions and plans introduced at each stage.
Meet EVE
EVE is our AI algorithm, specialized in identifying signals from three perspectives: government, market, and society. A broad set of signals can indicate developments that are likely to become relevant in the near future. For this DeepDive, 93 signal points were used to validate and shape the developments described.
The Changing Role and Definition of New Year’s Resolutions
The world of influencers and coaches, and particularly their online behavior, has driven a shift in the definition of what constitutes a New Year’s resolution. This shift began around 15 years ago, but the first truly significant effects became visible after 2020. The COVID period proved decisive for many people: after consuming countless videos about ambition, journaling, and goal-setting, they decided to take action themselves.
At the same time, New Year’s resolutions became a prime target for online influencers. They claimed that such resolutions are destined to fail and can only be achieved with the right mindset and methodology. This narrative fueled the sale of courses and the creation of bucket lists, while also reviving the age-old concept of manifestation, popularized by works such as Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, now presented in a modern form.
A New Year’s resolution has evolved into a plan that one must live by from day one and fully believe in. The idea is that the universe will reward you. It is a blend of tradition and modern thinking, focused primarily on making dreams come true and achieving success.
Influencer Developments and the Years Ahead
Manifestation has become a foundational element of ambitions and resolutions. At the same time, the trend that peaked in 2020 has now been absorbed into society. People no longer explicitly refer to “manifesting,” but instead apply fragmented elements of the methodology in various ways and for different purposes.
As a result, coaches and influencers are searching for new trends to tap into, something that is proving increasingly difficult. The market has grown significantly, making authenticity harder to achieve. This challenge applies not only to influencers themselves, but also to the brands and organizations that hire them.
Among the developments that may prove relevant, one stands out: challenge gaming. Achieving resolutions by framing them as a game, complete with clear rules, boosters, and penalty points—designed entirely for the individual challenger. This approach is gaining traction, particularly among millennials and Gen Z. Challenges are broken down into small, achievable segments, each with clear outcomes and requirements needed to unlock the next level.
A More Closed and Personal Approach
Another notable shift is that people are becoming less inclined to share their resolutions publicly. The challenge is personal, and unsolicited opinions about one’s approach or goals are no longer appreciated. The final phase of a challenge is often the reveal, surprising friends and family once the goal has been achieved.
This results in a closed, heads-down approach. In the future, people are likely to become even more private about their goals and less vocal about their failures. This represents a counter-movement to the trend that encourages openly discussing mistakes and setbacks.
What’s Next
Both society and the market increasingly expect individuals to have ambitions and plans aimed at personal growth or “self-improvement.” As a result, there will be a stronger push to create plans not only at the beginning of the year, but throughout the entire year—each one designed to move someone a small step forward.
So far, this approach has been most visibly adopted by insurers, but expectations are that many other industries will follow. The advantage is clear: the target audience is receptive and ready for concepts that align with this mindset.
