Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day (January 17)
Every year, millions of people set New Year’s resolutions with the best intentions, only to feel overwhelmed a few weeks later. Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day, celebrated on January 17, is a reminder that it’s okay to change your mind.
Instead of forcing goals that no longer fit, this lighthearted holiday encourages a more flexible approach to self-improvement. Whether you adjust your plans, start fresh, or simply take a break from the pressure, the focus is on doing what actually works for you.
Personal growth doesn’t have to follow a calendar, and this day is proof of that. Plus, it’s one of the many weird holidays in January that adds a little humor to the start of the year.
When is the Holiday?
Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day is observed annually on January 17th.
This quirky holiday encourages people to let go of unrealistic resolutions and focus on more sustainable goals or lifestyle changes.
Who Invented It?
The exact origins of the holiday are unknown, but it likely emerged as a response to the widespread frustration of failed resolutions.
It recognizes that many people abandon their resolutions within weeks of setting them.
The History of the Holiday
The practice of setting resolutions dates back to ancient Babylon around 2000 BC, during the Akitu festival.
This springtime event marked the new year and included promises to the gods.
Today, the tradition continues, but modern research shows that a significant percentage of people fail to keep their resolutions, leading to the creation of this lighthearted holiday as a way to relieve guilt and reassess priorities.
Top 5 Facts About the Holiday
- About 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by mid-February.
- The most common resolutions involve health, fitness, and personal finance.
- Studies show that setting smaller, more specific goals leads to higher success rates.
- The holiday serves as a reminder that personal growth isn’t tied to a single date.
- Some people replace resolutions with a “word of the year” for inspiration.
Coloring Page
Use this free coloring page as a relaxed way to talk about goals, pressure, and why it’s okay to change your mind.
Activities to Celebrate
- Reflect on your resolutions – Take time to assess whether your resolutions are meaningful, realistic, or even necessary. If they don’t serve you, let them go.
- Create a new goal-setting plan – Instead of making broad resolutions, try setting small, achievable goals throughout the year.
- Write a ‘Ditch List’ – Make a list of things that no longer serve you, whether it’s habits, expectations, or even toxic commitments.
- Host a resolution-free gathering – Invite friends over to celebrate progress made without the pressure of sticking to resolutions.
- Journal about your journey – Write about your successes and struggles with past resolutions and plan a more personalized approach to self-improvement.
- Encourage self-compassion – Use the day as a reminder that failing a resolution doesn’t mean failing in life. Everyone’s path is different, and progress takes time.
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Links to Resources
- Free Printable Goal-Setting Worksheets – Use these worksheets to help create manageable goals at your own pace.
- Books on Habit Formation and Motivation – Learn from experts on how to build and maintain habits that actually stick.
- The 90-Day Goals Journal: A Daily Check-In to Stay Motivated and Achieve Your Goals. This journal is designed to help you set, track, and meet your goals over a manageable 90-day period, with regular check-ins to keep you accountable.
- Goal Getter (A Productivity Journal): A Daily Goal Setting Planner and Organizer. This productivity journal provides space for daily tasks, affirmations, and to-do lists, accompanied by motivational quotes to keep you inspired.
- Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones. This best-selling book offers practical strategies to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.
Related January Holidays
There are other unique holidays throughout the month that bring some fun and reflection to the start of the year.
- For those who enjoy relaxation, National Do Nothing Day on January 16 is the perfect excuse to take a break from the constant push for productivity and simply enjoy the moment.
- Polar Bear Plunge Day on January 1st is for the bold and adventurous, challenging participants to dive into icy waters as a symbolic fresh start to the year.
- If you’re a dreamer, Make Your Dreams Come True Day on January 13th encourages people to take actionable steps toward their biggest aspirations.
- Finally, National Opposite Day on January 25th is a fun and quirky holiday where people embrace contradictions, speak in opposites, and have a little lighthearted fun with language.
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