National Quitters Day: The Unfortunate Reality of Abandoned Resolutions

By Arianna Rodriguez, Writer | January 24, 2025

Photo courtesy of Arianna Rodriguez (author).

January 10th marks a somber occasion: National Quitters Day. It's the day when the determination and enthusiasm of New Year's resolutions begin to fade.

This leaves many to abandon their goals and aspirations, the ones made less than two weeks before.

Every year, millions of people around the world make promises to themselves to improve their lives, whether it's through exercising, healthy eating, or learning a new skill.

However, knoxnews states that a “survey-based study focused on 999 participants, ages 20 through 60. Of the group, more than 80% of participants set a New Year's resolution - "but the resolutions were not long-kept."

According to experts, one of the main reasons people don’t keep their resolutions is because they set unrealistic goals.

Carson High School junior Priscilla Gutiérrez said, “My New Year’s resolution was to start eating healthy, but I gave up because I couldn’t give up Hot Cheetos.”

Another reason people quit is because they don't see immediate results. In today's world, we're accustomed to instant gratification. When we don't see the results we want right away, we get discouraged and give up.

By setting realistic goals, breaking them down into smaller steps, and finding a support system, we can increase our chances of success.

CHS senior Allen Rodriguez said, “My New Year’s resolution was to go to the gym as often as I could, and so far, I’ve been doing alright. I don’t need to quit just yet.”

So, if you're struggling to stick to your resolutions, experts suggest that you don't give up just yet. Take a step back, reassess your goals, and make a plan to achieve them. With persistence and determination, you can overcome the quitter's curse and make this year one of accomplishment, not abandonment.