Massachusetts Residents Aren’t Giving Up New Year’s Resolutions…Yet

Giving up your New Year's Resolutions seems like a foregone conclusion come February. But that's not the case in the Bay State.

I wish I could say that was the case for me. For a time, I would indeed make a New Year's Resolution. And it was always the same thing, ever year: to stop biting my fingernails. It's a filthy, awful habit that I've carried with me since youth. And it's one that I'd usually stick to for a few weeks before relapsing. Years of therapy as an adult has taught me that it's a coping mechanism. A gross coping mechanism.

So no more resolutions for me. Instead, for the last few years, I've done Dry January. I like it because there's a set end to it and I can see and feel the effects, so there's a double reward. And now that it's over, I can dive into this list of beers that I've been meaning to sample. But back to the topic at hand, let's dive into this list of resolution-quitting-dates, shall we?

BetMassachusetts.com recently asked Massachusetts residents the following question: "How long will you stick to your New Year's Resolutions?" And not only was the average answer not "I've already given up," the average answer wasn't even a date in the month of February. Turns out we folks in the Commonwealth are keen on extending our newfound good behaviors and will power well into spring.

That's the case across all of New England as well. Take a look at the dates below and you'll see that, on average, residents in five of the six New England states all plan on sticking to their guns well into March. I've listed the specific dates below so, depending on which state you're in, you can feel a slight bit of superiority over your neighbors. Take a look while I get back to biting my fingernails.

Expected Quit Date: March 27 - I mean, why not just extend it 4 more days and make it to April 1st? Then, if your resolution was food-related, you can make a trip to Frank Pepe's to celebrate.

Expected Quit Date: March 31 - See? Maine does it right. All the way through March. Then? A bottle or can of your favorite Shipyard brew to celebrate making it three whole months.

Expected Quit Date: March 30 - Again, the same criticism that I threw at Connecticut, but even more so: wait another day! Yes, I understand these dates are all average. Yes, I'm still upset about it. But hey, at least I'm not taking the T.

Expected Quit Date: April 15 - Granite-staters making it all the way to tax day! Very impressive! Life Free or Die, indeed! And hey, you can celebrate a few weeks later at Jetpack Comics Free Comic Book Day in Rochester!

Expected Quit Date: March 23 - Little Rhody, bringing up the rear on this list. Although, if you're just shooting to keep to your resolution until the first day of spring, that makes sense. Have a 'Gansett to celebrate, neighbor.