Traditional New Year’s resolutions, such as quitting smoking, have been replaced by modern life changes like being more positive, saving more money and de-cluttering the home, it emerged yesterday.
New technologies and healthier lifestyles have led to an influx of new promises for the year – with seven in ten binning ‘old fashioned’ vows relating to smoking, alcohol and exercise.
Reading more books, re-decorating the house and mixing up the routine by visiting new bars and restaurants were among the top 10 modern resolutions for this coming year.
While the 10th most popular goal for modern Brits is to ‘not complain as much’ in 2015, the study of 2,000 revealed.
The research, which was commissioned by energy provider OVO Energy, found surprising people with little acts of kindness, getting better at taking photos and shopping around more for the best deals also proved popular.
Other personal changes Brits are aspiring to make include standing up for themselves more, learning a new language and trying to be a bit greener by improving their recycling habits.
Yesterday a spokesperson for OVO said: "It seems the traditional New Year’s resolutions are dwindling as the results show that these are perhaps a little more difficult to keep to.
"We’re instead seeing a lot more goals emerging that are linked to making little improvements throughout the year that will benefit both themselves and others; be it having a more positive outlook, getting on top of monthly outgoings or doing more to help friends and family.
"Interestingly, ‘complaining less’ is a top ten resolution. As a company built around what is right for the customer, it is our resolution to do as much as possible to help customers feel they do not need to complain, or when then do, their complaint is resolved quickly. This should always be a top priority in a retail business.”
The study also found aims such as organising a vast collection of digital photos properly, making more effort with family and reviewing deals with financials and suppliers to ensure they are getting the best value possible were common.
Trying a new hairstyle, getting a pet and even learning how to flirt properly also featured on the list of Britain’s 50 modern resolutions for 2015.
Being more punctual, making the effort to send more personal, well thought out gifts and sorting out or changing online passwords was also on the agenda.
Getting a six pack or checking work emails less when at home were regular goals, while some surprisingly aim to take more selfies in 2015 – creeping in at number 50 on the list.
Other aims which narrowly missed out on the top 50 were watching less reality TV, trying to stop texting or contacting an ex and having a go at online dating.
Just six per cent of the 2,000 studied were aiming to quit smoking while under a quarter said they were taking up a resolution that actually related to fitness or health.
Over two thirds said making proper resolutions was a ‘waste of time’ and had never actually completed one they had made in the past, with a large majority setting smaller achievable targets to complete across the year.
The OVO spokesperson added: "A new year is always seen as a fresh start and a chance to make positive improvements. As a customer centric business we constantly reflect on how we can create positive change, and as with the nation’s resolutions we like to continually make year-round improvements to how we operate, what we offer to our customers and how we deliver first class service to our customers.
"Having revealed Brits’ top resolutions and discovering they are focused on being savvy with money, making positive changes and extra effort with others, it bodes well that our own resolutions for 2015 reflect this.
"As part of our new year’s pledge we promise not to rip off our loyal customers by keeping them on unnecessarily high tariffs, all our tariffs will reflect the cost of getting energy to that customer and we also promise to reward customers, paying you interest when your balance is in credit."
For a full list of 2015 New Year’s Resolutions from OVO Energy and Brits’ top 50 resolutions, please see below:
We promise: