New Year, New Perspectives: How 2025's Resolutions Are Changing
The latest news from Cafestudy
Posted by: Caféstudy
11th Feb 2025 09:54am
The tradition of New Year's resolutions dates back over 4,000 years to ancient Babylonia, but recent studies suggest this age-old practice is evolving. Only 37% of Australians have planned to make resolutions for 2024, down from 48% in previous years (Roy Morgan Research, 2024). This decline reflects a broader shift in how people approach personal growth and goal-setting.
A recent Caféstudy chat has also revealed how members are moving away from traditional resolutions toward more sustainable, year-round approaches to personal development.
"I used to play the new year resolution game, and then I had an epiphany... if there was something about me that needed improving, why wait to the end of the year to make that change?"
This sentiment echoes findings from researchers at the University of Sydney's Charles Perkins Centre, who suggest that continuous goal-setting throughout the year leads to better outcomes than annual resolutions (University of Sydney, 2024).
2025's Top Priorities
Although traditional resolutions may be declining, it appears our Caféstudy members are still looking to set a few meaningful goals for 2025. So what are they looking to acheive in the new year!?
🏋️♀️ Health and Wellness 🏋️♀️
Health remains a top priority, but with a more holistic approach. Rather than dramatic transformations, Caféstudy members are focusing on sustainable changes. This approach aligns with research from the Australian Psychological Society, which indicates that small, incremental changes are more likely to result in lasting behavioural modifications (APS, 2024).
"This year I've decided to take a quieter approach to my resolution. In the way that rather than starting with an extreme, full on attempt at a resolution I started in baby steps. They are all based around health and fitness - more walking, eating better foods, clearing my mind."
👨👩👧👦 Family and Connection 👨👩👧👦
Travel and family time emerged as significant priorities for 2025. Many members expressed desires to strengthen family bonds and create lasting memories.
"My focus for 2025 is on personal growth and family—an extended trip to Thailand to reconnect with loved ones, refining my tennis skills while supporting my son's inter-club journey, and exploring opportunities to invest in a family holiday home."
💸 Financial Well-being 💸
With ongoing economic pressures, financial goals featured prominently in some members' plans. A recent Commonwealth Bank Financial Wellbeing survey indicates that 68% of Australians are more worried about their financial situation now than in previous years (CommBank, 2024). This concern was reflected in our community's responses, with many members focusing on debt reduction and savings goals.
🌟 Personal Development 🌟
Many members are embracing continued learning and growth. One particularly inspiring member shared:
"After 20 years as an at home carer of 3 special needs children, I decided to go back to studying. My course started today and I feel a new sense of me coming on this year, a sense of achievement I haven't felt in some time."
🧘♀️ A More Mindful Approach 🧘♀️
Perhaps most notably, there's a growing emphasis on mental well-being and self-compassion. The Black Dog Institute reports that prioritizing mental health has become increasingly important in post-pandemic goal-setting (Black Dog Institute, 2024). This trend is evident in our community, with one member noting:
"Not actually a resolution more a thought process, being kinder to myself and not beating up on myself so much. 2024 was a tough year 2025 is going to be more thoughtful."
👀 Looking Forward 👀
While traditional New Year's resolutions might be declining, our community's responses suggest that people are not less ambitious—they're simply more thoughtful about how they approach personal growth. Whether it's through calculated baby steps toward better health, planned family adventures, or strategic financial goals, members are embracing a more sustainable approach to self-improvement.
"You don't need a new year to have or set goals or start something new and you certainly don't need to wait for another year to give yourself permission to have goals to better get to where you want. Celebrate every day!"
This shift from rigid annual resolutions to flexible, ongoing goal-setting might just be the key to making 2025 our most successful year yet!
References
Australian Psychological Society. (2024). Annual behaviour change report. APS Research Publications.Black Dog Institute. (2024). Mental health trends in post-pandemic Australia. Black Dog Institute Research Reports.
Commonwealth Bank of Australia. (2024). Australian financial wellbeing survey 2024. CommBank Research Series.
Roy Morgan Research. (2024). New Year's resolutions in Australia: 2024 trends report. Roy Morgan Publications.
University of Sydney, Charles Perkins Centre. (2024). Goal setting and behavioral change: A longitudinal study. University of Sydney Research Papers.