Happy New Year, friends! As we flip the calendar to 2026, many of us are sitting down with a steaming cup of coffee and a blank notebook, ready to jot down our New Year’s Resolutions. Whether it's a commitment to more lakeside hikes or finally mastering that vegan lasagna, the act of "resolving" feels like a natural part of the January air. But have you ever wondered why we do this? It turns out, this "fresh start" feeling is actually thousands of years old!

4,000 Years of Pledges: The History



The tradition of making resolutions didn't start with modern gym memberships; it began about 4,000 years ago in Ancient Babylonia. During their 12-day New Year festival called Akitu, the Babylonians would make promises to their gods. Interestingly, they didn't resolve to "lose weight"—they promised to pay off debts and return borrowed farm equipment. They believed that if they kept these promises, the gods would favor them in the coming year.

Later, the Ancient Romans continued the practice after Julius Caesar shifted the start of the year to January 1st. The month was named after Janus, the two-faced god who could simultaneously look back at the past year and forward into the future. Romans would offer sacrifices to Janus and make vows of good behavior. Even in the Middle Ages, knights took the "Peacock Vow" at the end of the year to re-affirm their commitment to chivalry. It wasn't until the 19th century that resolutions took on the more secular, self-improvement vibe we know today!

Making Them Stick: Tips for 2026

We’ve all been there—by February, that "daily" yoga habit has become a "once-a-month" stretch. To help you stay on track, we’ve gathered some scientifically-backed tips to keep those resolutions alive and well:

• Think "Approach," Not "Avoid": Research shows you're more successful if you phrase your goal as a positive addition. Instead of "I will stop eating sugar," try "I will eat fruit for dessert three times a week." It’s much easier to start a new habit than to simply "erase" an old one!
• The Power of SMART Goals: Keep your resolutions Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Instead of "I want to travel more," try "I will book one weekend trip to a Finger Lakes town I've never visited by June."
• Build a "Habit Loop": Our brains love cues. If you want to walk more, put your sneakers by the front door (Cue), take a 10-minute walk (Routine), and enjoy a favorite podcast while you do (Reward).
• Celebrate the "Small Wins": Don’t wait for the end of the year to celebrate. If your goal was to read 12 books and you finished the first one, treat yourself to a new bookmark or a special latte!

A Four Fine Friends Reminder

Progress isn't a straight line, and that's okay! If you stumble in mid-January, don't throw in the towel. Just like the Babylonians returning that borrowed plow, you can always reset and start fresh the very next day. Here’s to a year of growth, joy, and keeping those promises to ourselves.