The History of New Year’s Resolutions and Why We Still Keep Making Them

Every year, when the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, millions of us around the world eagerly shout “Happy New Year!”—and along with it comes a flurry of New Year’s resolutions. Whether it’s losing weight, saving money, or finally learning how to cook, the start of a new year seems like the perfect time to turn a new page. But have you ever wondered why we do this every year? And how long have we been doing it? Let’s learn a little bit more about the history of New Year’s resolutions, and why we still keep making them.

Ancient Beginnings

It all started with the Babylonians, who lived in what is now Iraq, around 4,000 years ago. These ancient people were the first to celebrate the new year, but not in January—oh no, their New Year’s celebration took place in March during the spring equinox. Why? Because this is when the crops began to grow, symbolizing new beginnings. During this time, the Babylonians would promise to their gods that they would return borrowed items or pay off debts. This was their version of a resolution, and it was believed that keeping your promise to the gods ensured good fortune for the upcoming year. So, even back then, there was this idea that a new year was a fresh start, a chance to make things right.

The Romans and Julius Caesar’s Influence

Fast forward a bit to ancient Rome. The Roman calendar, which began with the month of March, was eventually restructured by Julius Caesar in 46 B.C. to begin in January, named after Janus, the Roman god of doors and transitions. Janus actually has two faces, one looking back at the past and the other looking forward to the future. This makes him the perfect god to oversee the start of the year.

It was the Romans who also started the practice of making vows or promises to Janus at the beginning of each new year. These promises weren’t necessarily about self-improvement, but more about honoring their relationships with the gods and their community. They’d pledge to act with more virtue, be more generous, or be more disciplined, and it was a chance for them to reflect on their actions in the past year.

The Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, New Year’s resolutions took on a more religious tone. Many people would vow to be better Christians in the coming year, promising to go to church more regularly or to abstain from certain sins. The idea of starting fresh and seeking spiritual renewal became an important aspect of New Year’s Day. In fact, early Christian teachings encouraged people to spend the first day of the year reflecting on their actions, seeking forgiveness, and committing to live better lives. This was the basis for the idea of resolutions as a moral and spiritual renewal.

Why Are We Still Making Them Today?

In the modern era, especially in the 19th and 20th centuries, the idea of New Year’s resolutions began to shift toward personal self-improvement. It’s important to mention this in the history of New Year’s resolutions. With the rise of psychology, personal development, and the culture of “self-help,” resolutions became less about promises to the divine and more about individual goals. It’s no longer just about being a better person in a spiritual sense, but improving ourselves in every way possible—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Why do we keep making them? Part of it is the psychological reset that comes with the new year. The turning of the calendar feels like an opportunity to press the “restart” button on our lives. Another reason is that resolutions give us something to look forward to. It’s exciting to imagine what the year could bring if we just stick to our goals. Even if we don’t always follow through, they give us something to work toward.