At the start of every year, we’re bombarded with the idea of making resolutions—but let’s be honest, some of them are doomed from the start.
While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to improve and setting goals for yourself, there are certain “resolutions” that just don’t make sense to most of us, and we don’t see the point in them. Here are just a few of the ones most Brits tend to skip entirely, knowing they’re likely to fail before January is over.
1. Cutting out all carbs
Bread, pasta, and chips—who are we kidding? A carb-free life sounds more like punishment than progress. Especially when winter rolls around, comfort food is practically medicinal. Sure, cutting back might be doable, but cutting them out completely? Not a chance, especially when every pub meal comes with chips as standard.
2. Going to the gym every day
The thought of hitting the gym daily sounds noble, but realistically, most Brits know it’s not happening. Between busy work schedules, cold weather, and a general dislike for sweating in public, this resolution gets ditched faster than you can say “cancelled membership.” Even the most dedicated gym-goers would rather not be elbowing their way through the January crowds every single day.
2. Giving up tea (or coffee)
Swapping out your cuppa for herbal tea might seem like a healthy idea, but for most Brits, it’s non-negotiable. That morning brew is practically a national treasure, and no resolution is strong enough to sever that bond. The mere thought of tackling a Monday morning without tea or coffee is enough to abandon this goal entirely.
4. Waking up at 5 a.m. every morning
The idea of starting the day with sunrise yoga or a productive journaling session sounds lovely, but let’s be real—January mornings are cold, dark, and unforgiving. The snooze button wins every time, and honestly, we’re okay with that. The duvet’s call is far stronger than any resolution could ever be.
5. Completely giving up alcohol
Dry January might seem like a good idea in theory, but come mid-month, when a friend suggests a pub night, willpower tends to crumble. For most, the social pull of a pint or glass of wine is just too strong. The key is moderation, not going cold turkey—especially when a cosy pub beckons.
6. Learning an entirely new language
Duolingo streaks and ambitious plans to become fluent in French by summer often fizzle out by February. While the idea of jetting off to Paris and dazzling locals with perfect pronunciation is appealing, sticking to it requires more patience than most of us can muster. For many, the only French that gets mastered is “Deux croissants, s’il vous plaît.”
7. Running a marathon
Every year, some of us toy with the idea of getting fit enough to run 26.2 miles. But between the British drizzle and our collective lack of enthusiasm for running in general, this resolution quickly shifts to “maybe next year.” Even signing up for a 5K can feel ambitious once the initial excitement wears off.
8. Meditating every single day
The goal of daily mindfulness sessions is great in theory, but let’s be honest—most of us struggle to sit still for five minutes without checking our phones. It’s not that we don’t want to feel zen, it’s just that life (and TikTok) gets in the way. Plus, finding a quiet moment in the day often feels like another task rather than a source of calm.
9. Keeping a daily journal
Source: Unsplash There’s something romantic about the idea of documenting your life, but after a week of scribbling “Nothing much happened today,” most of us abandon this one. The stack of half-used notebooks says it all. And let’s be honest—when the most exciting thing to report is “Went to Tesco,” it’s easy to see why this habit fades fast.
10. Eating 100% clean
The dream of ditching takeaways and processed snacks crumbles the moment someone offers a packet of crisps or suggests fish and chips for dinner. Life’s too short to obsess over quinoa and kale 24/7. The occasional indulgence is what keeps things fun, and let’s face it—comfort food is part of British culture.
11. Spending less time on social media
We start strong, deleting apps or setting screen time limits, but soon find ourselves scrolling Instagram “just to check something.” Before we know it, we’re back to doomscrolling through memes and holiday pics. Old habits die hard, especially when social media is such a big part of modern life. Cutting back? Maybe. Quitting entirely? Unlikely.
12. Saving every spare penny
“This year, I’ll budget properly!”—famous last words before the January sales or a spontaneous trip to the pub. While we all want to save more, life’s little indulgences have a way of sneaking back in, and honestly, who wants to say no to the occasional treat? Balancing savings with living in the moment feels far more realistic.
13. Keeping the house spotless all the time
The dream of a Pinterest-worthy home is strong, but maintaining it is another story. Life is messy, and after a week or two, the laundry pile and cluttered surfaces win the battle. It’s not giving up—it’s just realistic. After all, who has time to deep-clean when there’s Netflix to watch?
14. Reading a book a week
Every January, the goal to devour 52 books feels totally doable—until life gets busy. By March, the bookmark hasn’t moved, and the resolution is quietly retired. Most of us are happy if we manage a book every few months, and that’s okay too. Even the most avid readers know that quality beats quantity when it comes to enjoying a good story.
