The phrase “At my age, I don’t buy any green bananas,” has a rich history and a variety of possible sources: golfer Chi Chi Rodriguez, Florida Congressman Claude Pepper, and football coach Lou Holtz. But humorist Erma Bombeck may have said it first.
The phrase has evolved into what is sometimes called “the green banana dilemma” among older Americans: do I buy the higher priced single year pass or a discounted, multi year pass to theme parks, museums and national parks? Do I renew internet or movie streaming services for shorter durations at higher prices or go for longer terms at reduced costs?
Only about one-third of Americans actually create New Year’s resolutions, according to the Pew Research Center. Researchers found that about 24% of those ages 50 to 64 develop New Year’s resolutions while only 18% of those 65 or older make them.
Craig Frogley says he doesn’t usually make New Year’s resolutions because “it is part of my lifestyle to make and work at self-improvement every day.” While admirable, some experts say that not using milestones like New Year’s to make resolutions can result in a fuzzy road map for the future rather than a clear path forward.
Young adults are more likely to make New Year’s resolutions than older adults and they typically focus on health and financial goals. Reflecting their unique interests, older adults’ resolutions are also most often about health, with hobbies and recreation a close second and third rather than finances or making money.
Kevin Cannon, who lives near Tulsa, Oklahoma, says he makes New Year’s resolutions and follows through on them “because the quickest way to become an old dog is to never learn any new tricks.” Although retired as a banker, last year he qualified for a Stihl Silver certificate in small engine repair and plans to earn a Gold certificate in 2026.
Most older adults say they value their independence and want to maintain their autonomy as much as possible. For many, setting goals and creating New Year’s resolutions furthers that aspiration as much as any other activity in which older adults can participate. More than something nice to do, goals and New Year’s resolutions can be key in enhancing autonomy and maintaining independence. Many find them to be significant boosts to finding purpose and meaning in life.
Books and research on longevity emphasize the importance of having a purpose to extend the life span for older adults, while also enhancing its quality. In the Blue Zones, a book about how and where people live to be centenarians, the authors emphasize the importance of finding and nurturing your purpose to live a long and meaningful life.
It is the regular assessment of “Who am I?,” “Why am I here?” and “Where am I going?” that can add up to 7 years to a person’s life, researchers say.
Experts suggest that success in achieving New Year’s resolutions is more likely by following three simple steps:
- Keep the list small and manageable.
- Use visual reminders.
- Enlist friends’ help.
These simple steps are more useful than the oft-repeated acronym SMART (specific, measurable, assignable, realistic and time bound) for goal setting personal goals in later life. Using SMART often results in less ambitious goals that can easily be measured and obtained. By contrast, developing a few BHAGs (Big Hairy Ambitious Goal) resolutions encourages us to think big and go for the gusto rather than settle and simply maintain our own status quo.
Regardless of our age, experts say that setting goals and making New Year’s resolutions are important. While adding purpose and meaning to our lives more broadly, they also provide specific reasons for getting up in the morning, and enhance independence and well-being.
Following a stroke, 70-year-old Duane Francis was told that he may not be able to walk again. Undeterred, he set daily, weekly and monthly goals for himself. As the new year rolled around, he set even more ambitious goals about what he was going to do and how he was going to do it.
These longer term resolutions helped him when he was discouraged, motivated him when he failed to meet some shorter term goals, and helped him to avoid compromising when things became difficult.
Researchers have found that while many New Year’s resolutions set by younger adults are about achieving something, older adults set more goals about enjoying something. These can include creative projects and hobbies, travel, sports and personal development.
With her children grown, Laurie Terry decided she wanted to learn to play the piano and pickleball. In doing so, she didn’t set goals about being able to perform certain numbers in a songbook or advance up the pickler ranks. Instead, she resolved to deepen her appreciation of music by playing songs she loved and reconnect to the outdoors by playing a popular sport.
Terry spent time doing both while broadening herself rather than stressing herself. Setting these types of BHAG aspirations and making this different type of personal resolution changed everything for her. Instead of taking on an added burden of striving, she began enjoying herself more and more.