45% Of Americans Are Skipping New Year’s Resolutions

We are a few days into 2024, and like many people, I've made a couple of New Year's resolutions. Some are the ole' boring "lose a little weight" and "eat better" resolutions. Others are more personal like, "be happier," "actually learn a line dance at Gilley's" and "stop taking on more than you can handle." By the end of the year, I'll try and remember to let you know how I do with those. But if you're one of the folks who haven't even decided on theirs yet, you're not alone.

The website, YouGov, put out a poll and according to it, 33% of people have already set their New Year's resolutions, while another 16% plan to but haven't figured out (or decided) what it'll be this year. What shocked me the most is the amount of people who say they aren't making ANY resolutions this year. According to the poll, a massive 45% of respondents claim they're skipping the yearly tradition all together.

The poll also breaks down what people are most likely to choose as their resolution. When asked, the most common choices were saving money, finding happiness, eating healthier, exercising more, and improving mental and physical health. As you can see, I bolded the ones that I also chose for my personal resolutions... So, it looks like I'm not as original as I thought I was.

This next part reminded me of my resolution last year -- stop drinking beer. Now, let's not be silly, I still drink tequila, but I wanted to drop the beer because it always left me feeling gross after a night of drinking with my buddies. Interestingly, 36% of those who made resolutions are confident they'll stick to them, and an additional 53% are hopeful they can keep them going throughout the year. While, I'd be lying to you if I said I didn't have any beer last year, I'm happy to say I can count how many I had on one hand. I miss beer... I like how it tastes. I just hate how bloated it makes me, even after only having one or two.

On the flip side, about 6% of respondents are already doubtful about their chances of keeping their resolutions, and 1% believe they have virtually no chance of sticking to them for the entire year.

-Ransom Garcia

As we step into the New Year, it's a great time to clean up our homes and get a fresh start. A survey by Cinch Home Services found that many people have been on a cleaning spree. According to the survey by the home warranty provider, 70.3% of respondents have engaged in a cleaning spree since the start of last year, with 62.6% expressing a "very or extremely" committed attitude toward maintaining cleanliness. Despite these efforts, 45.9% still admit feeling embarrassed about the current state of their living spaces.

In light of these findings, it's worth considering the impact of physical clutter on our cognitive processes. Researchers at the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and other brain-mapping tools, discovered that an abundance of objects in our visual fields hinders information processing. Essentially, the presence of too much stuff limits our ability to focus on the task at hand.

Additionally, a sleep study conducted by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine revealed that people sleeping in cluttered rooms are more prone to developing sleep problems and are at a higher risk of developing hoarding disorders.

Recognizing the challenge of finding motivation for decluttering, The Spruce, a home and lifestyle website, provides helpful tips. They recommend using a decluttering checklist to simplify the process, making decisions about what to clear out more manageable. Additionally, using such a checklist allows you to track your progress by checking items off as you work through it. It’s a simple yet motivating and empowering act.

The Spruce recommends focusing on little victories instead of trying to tackle everything at once. This makes the whole process less overwhelming.

For more help, The Spruce breaks down which rooms to clean first and what items to get rid of in each room.  You can find their complete guide here.

Check out some of the top items below.

Expired items take the lead on their bathroom decluttering agenda. This includes makeup that has expired or is no longer used, along with medicines and prescriptions that have reached their expiration date or are no longer necessary. Additionally, items like dried-out nail polish, skincare products, and makeup samples are on their bathroom declutter list.

Paper clutter tops the list for decluttering the bedroom, followed by books that won't be revisited and old magazines. It's perfectly fine to part ways with these items, especially if they've been sitting around gathering dust. You can even opt for something digital instead of having paper as your go-to.

A common decluttering challenge we all face is the overflowing closet. According to The Spruce, the first step is to address clothes that no longer fit. They also advise getting rid of items that haven't been worn in over nine months.

When it comes to your kitchen, duplicate kitchen tools take precedence on their decluttering list. This includes items like extra vegetable peelers, bottle openers, and garlic presses. They also recommend getting rid of appliances that you use only once a year or less. Yes, even if it's that toaster oven collecting dust on your counter.