What New Year's Resolutions Looked Like in the 1960s

The 1960s was a very different time for making promises to ourselves. Back then, the world was changing fast between the quiet 1950s and the wild 1970s. When people sat down to think about their New Year's goals, they were not looking at fitness apps or counting calories on a phone. Instead, they were thinking about how to be better neighbors and how to keep up with a world that was moving into the Space Age. Most resolutions were about being a good person in the community or learning how to use new gadgets in the home. It was a decade where people felt they could really change the world starting right in their own living rooms. Looking back at these goals shows us just how much life has changed since those days when everyone gathered around the television to watch the ball drop.

One of the most popular goals in the early 1960s was learning how to be a better host or hostess. People really cared about what their neighbors thought and wanted to throw the best parties. A resolution might be as simple as learning how to make a new type of appetizer or finally mastering a fancy punch recipe for the summer. This was the time when "company" coming over was a big deal. People promised to keep their homes cleaner and to learn the right way to set a formal table. It was not just about showing off; it was about being a part of the local social circle. Having a nice home and being friendly to everyone on the block was a huge priority for families. They wanted to create a warm and welcoming space where friends could gather and talk about the news of the day.

In the middle of the 1960s, many people started to care more about what was happening in their country. Their resolutions were often about being a better citizen. This meant promising to vote in every election or volunteering at a local school or church. People felt like they needed to help out more because there was so much going on in the news. You might hear someone resolve to finally join a local club or help clean up a neighborhood park. It was a time when people believed that if everyone did just a little bit, the whole world would get better. These goals were very different from the selfish ones we sometimes see today. They were focused on the community and making sure that they were doing their part to help their friends and neighbors succeed in a changing society.

While we go to big gyms today, fitness in the 1960s was much simpler but still very important. President Kennedy told everyone that Americans needed to be stronger, so many people made resolutions to get moving. A typical goal might be to go for a walk every morning or to do simple exercises like jumping jacks in the backyard. Many schools and workplaces started programs to help people stay active. People did not really care about having six pack abs or lifting heavy weights like they do now. They just wanted to be healthy enough to enjoy their lives and keep up with their kids. Joining a bowling league or a local softball team was a very common way to fulfill this resolution. It was all about being "vigorous" and having enough energy to handle the fast pace of life during the height of the Space Race.

The 1960s brought a lot of new technology into the average home, and many resolutions were about keeping up with it. People would promise to save money for a new color television or a modern refrigerator that did not need manual defrosting. Since things were changing so fast, a big goal for the year was often just to learn how to use these new items. Mothers might resolve to try out a new electric blender, while fathers might want to set up a new high fidelity record player. It was an exciting time because it felt like the future was finally arriving in the kitchen and the living room. People wanted to make sure their families had the best tools to make life easier and more fun. These resolutions were about making the home more modern and comfortable for everyone who lived there.

Before the internet existed, people in the 1960s used the New Year to promise they would read more books. It was very popular to resolve to finish a certain number of novels or to start reading a daily newspaper to stay informed. Many people wanted to be seen as "smart" and well rounded. They would promise to learn about art or to listen to more classical music and jazz. Improving the mind was just as important as anything else. Families would often sit together in the evening and read instead of just staring at a screen. A resolution might be to join a book club or to finally take a night class at a local college. This focus on learning helped people feel like they were growing as individuals and keeping their brains sharp so they could discuss the big ideas of the decade with their friends.