No to hookups, stalking exes and sugar: Young Indians’ new year resolutions for 2023

• New year resolutions began 4,000 years ago with Babylonians making promises to win favour of God.
• Young Indians want to tackle inflation, monitor health and balance their relationships in 2023.
• Family bonding and spending more time with parents have also taken a front seat.

Before Earth completes one rotation around the Sun, earthlings begin making promises to themselves about how they themselves will make a turn for the good – with new year resolutions. This tradition began 4,000 years ago with self-improvement promises made by Babylonians to win favour of God.

In 2022, the new year resolutions of young Indians today have far less favours to ask from the almighty. They want to tackle inflation, monitor health and balance their relationships instead. Business Insider India talked to a few youngsters to know their new year resolutions and here are some of the findings.

‘Become brand ambassador of revenge travel’
Rohan Singh, a 25-year-old working professional from Pune has only one resolution, to ‘become the brand ambassador of revenge travel’. There has been heightened optimism for travel reported in 2023. Nearly 75% of Indians said travelling will be worth it, according to a Booking.com report. It looks like more young Indians want to keep up this trend of ‘seeing’ as much of the world outside their homes after spending some of the best years locked-in.

Palak Mehra, a 27-year-old teacher and food blogger based in Pune, just had a baby. Since parenthood took priority, blogging and travelling simultaneously took a backseat. But she intends to keep exploring, if only in other ways.

“I wish to try more cuisines and different countries this year. Shedding those extra pounds is also on the list though!” she says.

Take all my leaves at work: Work-life balance, health a priority
According to a Bumble Report released this year, fancy job titles and 40-plus work hours/ week are less tolerable now. Over the last year, more than half of youngsters (52%) are also actively creating more space for breaks and rest, the report states.

Sukriti Shukla, a 27-year-old chief technical analyst working at a MNC in Delhi says, “I will utilise all my leaves this year and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Even though I want to keep hustling, a healthy work-life balance is non-negotiable for me now.”

In an era of great resignation, Shreya Sarkar, a 26-year-old resident from Calcutta says, “My new year resolution is to not act like my employers are doing me a favour.” More than half of all the employees (57%) are unenthusiastic about or bored with their current jobs, according to an Indeed report.

Raina Sethi (23) and Simran Gill (24), both residents of Delhi, aim to prioritise mental health and physical health. “My new year resolution is to not ignore my mental health, take up gym regularly and skip sugar once every 15 days,” Sethi said.

Young Indians are also prioritising establishing better boundaries. “I plan to cut out people who are not happy for me, or try to pull me down. I want to make more space for my loved ones,” added Gill.

‘I will not stalk my ex’: Relationships and stronger family bonds
It seems Babu ji (played by Alok Naath) from Sooraj Barjatya is not wrong after all. The pandemic taught us the value of family and parental bonds. Cue Baghban music.

If we need more endorsement to love our parents from people who have achieved more than Barjatya and Karan Johar, there are life lessons from one of India’s richest men who just finished 20 years at the helm of one of India’s most valuable companies.

“Nowadays, every youngster is excited about 4G and now 5G. But there is no 'G' in this world greater than Mata ji and Pita ji,” Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani said, addressing students at the convocation of Pandit Deendayal Energy University in December this year.

And youngsters seem to think on the same lines too. “I will give more time to my parents and vow to fight less with them,” said Radha Vekhande (27), a Gurgaon resident.

Then there are the relationships of the heart too. Some are waiting for the cupid to strike. Yatamanyu Narain, a 27-year-old journalist in Delhi is open to love once again. Reportedly, 81% of Indian singles are feeling positive about dating as we head into 2023.

“I want to give love another shot and break away from the cycle of meaningless hookups and situationships I cultivated in 2022. I used to be a hopeless romantic. I want to be that person again,” Narain said. Bring back the Kaho Na Pyaar Hai era already. He also resolves to record 365 days of his life in 2023 through 365 Instagram posts.

“I have promised myself I won’t stalk my ex (I know I will still do it). This time I want to have a clear vision for my relationships and spot red flags. I won’t wait for my friends to do so,” said Radhika Makkar, a 27-year-old content writer from Delhi.

Stop biting nails, no cheating in rubik’s cube
Then there are quirky resolutions as well. Joyee Bhattacharya, a 24-year-old resident in London, wants to spare her nails this year. “It has been a nasty habit for over 20 years. I need to stop because I want pretty nails!” she said.

Vidar Bhargava, a six-year-old who recently began attending his school in Calcutta, has ambitious resolutions as well. “I plan not to cheat while solving the Rubik’s cube. I will not do any drama before going to school. I also will not remove the Christmas tree decorations this year,” Vidar says. Ah, you sweet summer child.

Then, of course, there are people who are philosophical too. “There are some questions that I won’t ever know the answer to. Turns out there are, in fact, some questions that aren’t worth asking,” says Shreya Sarkar when asked to list one of her new year resolutions. Looks like GenZ indeed takes being zen literally.


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