A new national poll released by YouGov reveals that while many Americans view the past year and decade with mixed or negative emotions, a significant portion are stepping into 2026 with cautious optimism-especially when it comes to their personal lives.
According to the YouGov New Year's Resolutions Poll, conducted December 9-11, 2025 among 1,104 U.S. adults, only 9% described their personal experience of 2025 as "great," while 37% said it was "OK." Sentiment toward the country as a whole was more pessimistic, with just 7% calling the year great and 28% describing it as terrible.
Looking ahead, optimism rises modestly. Nearly one in five respondents (19%) believe 2026 will be a great year for them personally, while only 14% expect a great year for the country. When asked to compare the coming year to the last, 36% said their lives would be better in 2026, 36% expected no major change, and 16% anticipated things would worsen.
Reflections on the Decade
When reflecting on the past ten years in U.S. history, 46% of respondents characterized the decade as "about average," while 38% viewed it as one of the worst. Yet Americans remain hopeful about what lies ahead: 42% believe their next decade will be better than the last, compared to 31% who expect it to be about the same.
Mixed Feelings About Resolutions
Americans remain divided on the tradition of New Year's resolutions. While 38% said they either love or like making resolutions, 44% said they dislike or hate them. Ultimately, only 31% of respondents said they plan to make New Year's resolutions for 2026, while 51% said they will not.
Top Priorities for 2026
Among those who do plan to set goals for the new year, personal well-being dominates. The most common resolutions include:
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Exercising more (25%)
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Being happier (23%)
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Eating healthier (22%)
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Saving more money (21%)
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Improving physical health (21%)
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Losing weight (17%)
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Improving mental health (16%)
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Learning something new (15%)
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Spending more time with family (15%)
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Praying more (15%)
The inclusion of spiritual growth alongside physical, emotional, and financial goals suggests that many Americans are seeking holistic renewal as they enter the new year.
About the Poll
The YouGov New Year's Resolutions Poll was conducted online among 1,104 U.S. adults from December 9-11, 2025. Results were weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population.
