Editor’s Note: As New Year’s Eve was winding down, a close friend said her resolution for 2026 was to spend at least one day a week doing something just for herself.
I teased her that her one-day goal was a low bar to set for someone our age. Shouldn’t we spend most days doing things that we like, rather than what we have to do? She seemed surprised by my abrupt response, which then led me to make my own New Year’s resolution: to do a better job of thinking before opening my mouth. To be totally transparent, this isn’t the first year for that particular resolution.
While unintentionally hurting a friend’s feelings didn’t make the 2026 Top Resolution list, here’s what did, according to Statista, a company that surveyed Americans late last year:
- To exercise more (48%)
- To save more money (46%)
- To eat healthier (45%)
- To spend more time with family and friends (42%)
- To lose weight (31%)
- To improve job performance (24%)
- To do more for the environment (24%)
- To reduce stress on the job (22%)
Goal-setting is important in most areas of life; the key is to be realistic and start small. Early victories will help you keep your New Year’s resolution long past January.
Happy New Year.
