Forget ‘New Year, New You’ – Brits assume this month is the perfect time for change
Ditch the ‘New Year, New You’ spiel – Brits reckon September is the real time to shake things up. A poll of 2,000 adults has uncovered that a hefty 38% are more motivated to revamp their lives in September than any other month.
The top ways folks are sparking a new beginning this month include snagging a new job (14%), diving into a new hobby or interest (11%), and moving house (7%).
As for the most sought-after changes Brits are keen to make right now, putting wellness first (41%), boosting sleep quality (39%) and learning a new skill (25%) are leading the pack. Dieting (22%), embracing meditation and mindfulness (17%) and tech upgrades are also on the agenda.
The survey was whipped up to mark the launch of Vodafone Xchange this month, a service allowing customers a new phone every year without pesky early upgrade fees or lingering payments on their old plan, just by trading in their previous handset.
Chipping in, Rob Winterschladen, consumer director at Vodafone UK, said: “September is a key month in the tech calendar, with major industry launches – but it’s not just devices that get upgraded at this time of year.”
“Our research shows that over eight million Brits actively make lifestyle changes during this month, whether it’s fitness, learning a new skill, or upgrading their tech. This reinforces the idea that people use the start of autumn to refresh both their personal lives and their devices.”
A whopping 46% of people believe that tech and apps are pivotal to personal growth and committing to new changes every year, with 29% seeing keeping up with the latest tech as crucial for daily life and self-development.
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This trend of ‘September resolutions’ is driven by a sense of renewal after summer (40%), a back-to-school vibe prompting new routines (24%), and a belief there’s less pressure than in January (30%) to make meaningful changes.
It’s not just about the time of year though, as 17% strive to ‘reinvent’ themselves annually, whether its September or another month that inspires them. Additionally, 15% kick off an ‘annual upgrade’ of their lifestyle as autumn approaches.
According to a study via OnePoll, 11% would prefer to update their mobile phone every year, with 42% doing so to access new features and benefits. However, 29% claim their current phone contract lacks the flexibility for such frequent changes.
Others switch up their phones each year to have the most up-to-date model (33%), and a quarter (25%) see upgrading their mobile as a boost to personal growth.
Behavioural psychologist Jo Hemmings, who has partnered with Vodafone for the study, remarked: “As the research shows, September is a perfect time for us to reflect on the year and set new goals, without the enormous pressure that the New Year can bring.”
“The added pressure and stress that comes with ‘new year new you’ type resolutions often equate to a decrease in productivity, so using that post-summer energy to quietly focus on making improvements in your life can be a recipe for success for many.”
The top 20 resolutions Brits would like to make in September:
- Prioritise wellness
- Improve sleep
- Learn a new skill
- Find / start a new fitness regime
- Find a new hobby or interest
- Start a new diet (i.e. cutting down on meat, going gluten free, plant based)
- Practice meditation / mindfulness
- Start a new job
- Have a style overhaul / get a new wardrobe of clothes
- Join a gym
- Get a new haircut / change hairstyle
- Upgrade a piece of tech (e.g. mobile phone)
- Learn a new language
- Move house
- Start a new relationship
- Start therapy
- Change phone contract
- Quit a job
- End a relationship
- Relocate city / country
