Resolving to Look Forward on Purpose
Every January, we pause at the edge of a new year and ask a quiet but meaningful question: What kind of year do we want to live into? The tradition of making New Year’s resolutions may feel modern, but it is anything but new.
More than 4,000 years ago, the ancient Babylonians marked the new year by making promises to their gods. These were not casual wishes, but serious commitments—to repay debts, return borrowed items, and live more responsibly in the year ahead.
Later, when the Romans established January 1 as the start of the new year, they dedicated the month to Janus, the two-faced god who looked backward and forward at the same time. Reflection and resolve were woven into the calendar itself.
That ancient instinct still lives in us.
Today, when we set New Year’s resolutions, we are participating in a long human tradition of looking back honestly and stepping forward intentionally.
Modern research shows that while resolutions are often mocked, they are far from meaningless. Surveys consistently show that a majority of people who make resolutions stick with them at least in part, and many report meaningful progress over time. The idea that “no one keeps resolutions” simply isn’t true.
So what do we usually resolve to do?
Across multiple surveys in recent years, three goals appear again and again. We resolve to improve our health through exercise or better eating. We resolve to strengthen our finances, especially by saving more money. And we resolve to care for our emotional and mental well-being, often described as being happier, more balanced, or less stressed. These are not shallow goals. They reflect a desire for wholeness—body, mind, and life.
What separates resolutions that last from those that fade?
Research suggests that goals which are specific and realistic tend to endure longer than vague ambitions. Accountability—whether through routine, reflection, or community—also plays a significant role. In other words, resolutions work best when we treat them not as fleeting wishes, but as commitments shaped by purpose and care.
There are simple, practical ways to increase our success rate. Writing goals down helps clarify intention. Breaking large goals into smaller steps makes progress visible. Checking in regularly—weekly or monthly—keeps us honest and encouraged. Perhaps most importantly, tying a resolution to a deeper “why” gives it staying power when motivation dips.
For people of faith, prayer can also transform how we approach resolutions. Prayer reframes our goals, reminding us that growth is not driven by willpower alone. When we bring our intentions before God, we invite wisdom, humility, and perseverance into the process. Prayer turns self-improvement into formation. It shifts resolutions from self-promises into surrendered commitments, shaped by grace rather than pressure.
And maybe that is the most hopeful truth of all.
Resolutions do not require perfection. They require intention. They invite us to look back with honesty, forward with hope, and inward with courage. Whether we keep every resolution perfectly is less important than the fact that we dared to care, to reflect, and to choose growth on purpose.
After all, even Janus knew this: looking forward matters—but only when we do it thoughtfully.
So here’s to a new year. May we resolve wisely, walk gently, and laugh a little when we stumble. Growth, after all, is rarely a straight line—but it is always worth the journey.
History.com. “The History of New Year’s Resolutions.”
https://www.history.com/articles/the-history-of-new-years-resolutions
YouGov. “Americans’ New Year’s Resolutions.”
https://today.yougov.com
Statista. “Most Common New Year’s Resolutions in the United States.”
https://www.statista.com
Pew Research Center. “Religion and Daily Life: Prayer and Personal Reflection.”
https://www.pewresearch.org
I’m Lauren—a writer, educator, and novelty quilter with over 30 years of experience in service and sales. I’ve taught high school English, worked as a journalist, and now run Artisan Shop USA, a marketplace supporting handmade artistry and the sharing of faith, family, and country. I’m also a wife, mom, and lifelong lover of storytelling.