Prioritising happiness and adventure

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You finish a year with thoughts of achievements made and plans for improvements for the following year. 2025 will be no different.
I expect to make incremental changes at the start of the new year as 2024 ended with a few challenges. I don’t believe I will be alone. Many Britons are choosing to focus on happiness, self-kindness, and enjoying the little things in life for 2025.
A study involving 2,000 adults has revealed a significant shift in attitudes, with people now favouring resolutions that bring them joy and personal satisfaction over strict diets and tough fitness regimes. These are all achievable goals for all age groups. Many of us can find inventive ways to nurture our wellbeing. Gen Z individuals are embracing the “joy of missing out” we’re told. Meanwhile, Millennials, are committing to one small adventure each month, like exploring a new town/city.
Those in their late 40s and 50s are giving in to indulgence, allowing themselves pleasures such as binge-watching TV series or savouring their favourite sweets. They’re also eager to connect more with nature, reflecting the adventurous spirit of Millennials.
Although Boomers are sticking to more conventional aims, with weight loss being at the top of their list, it appears all generations are aiming for more light-hearted resolutions, like laughing more or creating no lists rather than to-do lists.
Despite only 13 per cent believing they’ll maintain their resolution throughout the entire year, a hopeful 48 per cent of adults still intend to set at least one for 2025.
The study was commissioned by Away Resorts whose founder Carl Castledine noted how people are prioritising happiness and adventure for this year. That written, many participants expressed that they dislike making resolutions, preferring not to confine their aspirations to the start of the year or risk setting themselves up for disappointment.
This sentiment may be contributing to the decline in popularity of annual challenges such as “Dry January” and “Veganuary”, according to this study’s findings. It adds that only 12 per cent of those surveyed intend to stop drinking alcohol in January, and only 5 per cent plan to adopt a vegan diet for the month. In contrast, aims like enjoying leisurely mornings, taking greater risks, and making time for laughter were more popular.
For two thirds of respondents, practising self-kindness is deemed more significant than self-discipline.
For the food and drink sector, this will mean the battle to offer value and compete for spend will remain. We’ll need to have an eye on whether consumer and business confidence settles as the year progresses. As the food and beverage manufacturing industry navigates 2025, success will hinge on balancing technology with a strong focus on people, processes, and operations.
- Rodney Jack, editor, Food & Drink Technology.
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