The Art of What Not to Do: 15 New Year’s Resolutions Gone Wrong

New Year, New You?

Another long year has finally ended, and now it’s time for a fresh start in 2025. And that means New Year’s resolutions: Most of us make them, and most of us break them. Hey, we didn’t really mean we’d learn a new language or go skydiving—that was the champagne talking. Of course, you can always resolve to enjoy one of our most festive games, A Toast to 2025: A New Year’s Trivia Game.

But the people in the following works of art? They stuck to their resolutions…even when they shouldn’t have. Some made it weird, and some are just off. Sorry, folks, but you’re doing it wrong!

A Little Late There, Pal

Van Gogh smoking skeleton

Another good resolution: Quit procrastinating. Head of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette, the Van Gogh Museum

To Eavesdrop Is Divine

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It doesn’t get much less nosy than that. Athena of Velletri, Los Angeles County Museum of Art 

Family Time

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We’d tell Ugolino to get a sitter for his kids if he weren’t already sitting on his kids. Ugolino and His Sons, Metropolitan Museum of Art

You Should Have Swiped Left

Ill-Matched Lovers

Look, 2024 was rough all over, but surely you can do better. Ill-Matched Lovers, National Gallery of Art

Not…THAT Exotic

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Fire your travel agent immediately. Christ’s Descent into Hell, the Met

Maybe Not These Friends

Sea Captains Carousing

If there is one thing you don’t need in your life, it’s the “friend” who parties so hard he starts puking in people’s pockets while his butt is on fire. Sea Captains Carousing in Surinam, Saint Louis Art Museum

Better Than This Guy Does, At Least

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Talk about heartburn! Saint Augustine, LACMA

All Things in Moderation

Vegetable Gardener

So yeah, maybe don’t eat so many veggies. The Vegetable Gardener

Eating Good in the Neighborhood

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On second thought, whatever you were eating before was fine. Salome with the Head of Saint John the Baptist, the Met

Rock Beats Scissors, Sword Beats Neck

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Y’know what, Judith? Harsh but fair. Judith Beheading Holofernes

Some People Enjoy Them

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The Caribbean is lovely this time of year, but maybe next time try a bigger ship. The Gulf Stream, the Met

Way Less, Apparently

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Really, um, putting yourself out there, ma’am. Lady with a Red Lily, Atlanta’s High Museum of Art

Let It Out, Let It Go

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Feel free to start anytime. Really, go ahead. Deep breaths. The Scream

Hold Your Tongue

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Just…not literally, guy. No one meant it literally. Saint Romanus of Antioch and Saint Barulas, Art Institute of Chicago

How Much Is Too Much?

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And here we thought you were just joking about sleep paralysis demons. The Nightmare

Find More Fun

Try out one of our many in-person scavenger hunts and virtual games. Those include the Toast to 2025: A New Year’s Trivia Game, available for in-person and virtual private groups anytime, anywhere.