People on the internet share the New Year’s resolutions they kept — and what we can learn from them

Real-life examples show how small commitments helped goals stick — and why the same approach can work for you.

We’ve once again hit the time of year when resolutions are made and goals set for a fresh start. A lot of us know how quickly those intentions can fizzle out, so one Reddit user asked the community what previous resolutions they’ve kept, and they responded with a variety of different accomplishments and how they did it. There were some quirky responses, but overall, most of them were surprisingly relatable. Their stories give us easy ways to turn resolutions into real-life habits.

The post

The original post was made in r/AskReddit and said, “Redditors who successfully kept their New Year’s resolutions, what was it?” Users responded with answers ranging from small personal goals to significant life changes. Some focused on health, such as consistently walking 10,000 steps a day or gradually losing weight, while others set mental and emotional goals, such as improving self-care or better managing stress. There were even resolutions to quit drinking and reduce social media use. These goals show that commitment and determination are also a part of success. The post became a treasure trove of inspiration, showing the different ways we can commit to improving ourselves and stick with it in the long term.

The responses

In response to the OP’s question, one Redditor shared, “I started going to the gym and I am very consistent. I also play tennis every week and have a new hobby. photography. I haven’t kept all resolutions, but at least some.” Consistency, seems to be the main factor for this commenter. Small steps build momentum, and adding hobbies or complementary activities can make the process enjoyable instead of a chore.

Another user reflected, “Not to act out and fail my alcohol recovery. It’s been hard, but it gets easier every day. I’ve avoided relapse and learned to prioritize myself.” This comment demonstrates the power of focus and patience. Life-altering resolutions typically require ongoing effort and support because success is rarely instant, but you can get there one step at a time.

One commenter proudly said, “To do at a minimum one drawing each month. That was my resolution last year, and I completed it! It was very rewarding.” This was a goal to nurture creativity. Small, achievable goals like this one can bring motivation for other aspects of life and a sense of accomplishment. They also show that resolutions don’t need to be monumental to be meaningful.

There was an inspiring story that came from a Redditor who said, “16 years ago I made a resolution with a friend to stop drinking soda, and I still don’t drink it today.” This is an incredible showcase of how one simple goal can turn into a lifestyle change and reshape your choices, especially when it comes to making healthier choices.

There was one user who shared a profound goal they achieved and said, “Be kind to myself. I do something fun every week, even minor things count. I read in the hammock chair, visit a café, stuff like that. I brew coffee the right way, cook for myself, enjoy the little things.” Prioritizing self-care is as much a resolution as health or productivity goals, and caring for mental well-being is just as vital as achieving external milestones.

Keeping resolutions

There’s a ton of research online that offers proven methods of sticking to the goals you set for the new year and boosting your chance of success. For instance, clearly defined goals, rather than vague intentions, help sustain focus and performance. Specifying how much and how often you’ll act, like “walk 30 minutes five days a week,” improves your chances of success.

You can track your progress while making sure you allow yourself a bit of grace and flexibility in the process. Experts recommend tracking your behavior and refining your plan as needed. Seeing progress fuels continued effort, even if it’s in increments, and flexibility helps you adapt when obstacles arise, because that’s where most people end up quitting.

You also want to break your goals down into sub‑goals. Dividing a large resolution into smaller, incremental sub‑goals keeps motivation strong and progress visible. When you break down your goals into smaller, manageable steps, even your most significant ambitions feel doable. Do something like completing a short workout instead of committing to an hour-long session, or writing 100 words a day toward a big project.

Most importantly, you want to build routines and habits for yourself that support the goals you’re working towards. Studies show that people who create a routine of their desired behaviors and do them at the same time or in the same context are more likely to stick with resolutions because they become automatic parts of daily life.

Takeaway

The lessons we can take from the Reddit comments are that consistent effort and realistic expectations are essential to success in resolution. And also, to be proud of yourself every step of the way, because your effort and dedication itself is admirable. Small, achievable goals create momentum, while support and accountability reinforce the progress you’ll see. Most importantly, the variety of resolutions in the comments reminds us that meaningful change is personal, not one-size-fits-all. This year, instead of focusing on perfection, try taking small, incremental steps, tracking your achievements, and celebrating progress.