After the challenging year that was 2025, I ended the year feeling surprisingly ready for whatever 2026 might bring. Not because everything was perfect and I had everything figured out, but because something shifted in December. I naturally began moving towards the new year in a more intentional way than I ever had before. Somehow, I found myself reflecting, writing, planning and putting things in place to support myself on the days that might feel harder. I didn’t want to enter 2026 the same way I entered 2025 – I wanted to begin this year in a better place. And in many ways, it worked. So, I wanted to share what helped me reset, realign, and step into the new year with more clarity and intention.
A New Year Reset
Here are a few practices that helped me start 2026 feeling in a more meaningful way.
1. Setting Goals Based on What Truly Matters
One of the first things I did was set goals. I categorised my goals based on what genuinely matters to me. This made them feel more personal, realistic, and aligned.
Some categories might include:
Personal
Business and Career
Health
Development
Relationships
Spirituality
Finances
Self-care
Breaking goals down this way allowed me to create a guide that will help me to navigate through the year. I then placed some of the goals into a monthly calendar so that I could visualise and plan when things would happen.
2. Reflecting on 2025 with Honesty
Before rushing into a new chapter, I gave myself space to acknowledge the year I was leaving behind. 2025 held both good moments and incredibly difficult ones. I realised that reflection is a form of healing. Instead of skipping over what was hard, I allowed myself to sit with questions like:
- What was challenging?
- What I was proud of?
- What I wanted to improve?
- What I healed from?
This kind of mindful reflection helped me to release the weight of the year, rather than dragging it into the next one. It also allowed me to take note of the good things that happened during a difficult year.
3. Choosing a Theme for the Year
Rather than setting dozens of resolutions, I chose one guiding theme for 2026:
Authenticity.
For me, authenticity means showing up as my true self.
Not feeling the need to perform, prove, or shrink.
Feeling comfortable being me, at all times.
A theme creates an anchor. Something to return to and a guiding light when making decisions throughout the year.
4. Writing a Letter to My Future Self
It’s so easy to forget where we once were. A year from now, I might not remember what I hoped for, what I needed, or how far I’ve come. So, I wrote a letter to my future-self including reflections and intentions.
This will be a lovely reminder to open at the end of 2026 – a way to honour growth in real time.
5. Creating a Box for Realignment
Not every day will feel light. Some days will feel heavy, challenging, or uncertain. So, I created a box for realignment – something I can turn to when I need grounding. I wrote out affirmations, questions and reminders on pieces of paper, folded them and placed them in the box.
This is a simple practice, but it’s comforting to know that support is already there waiting.
6. Making Space for New Energy
Lastly, I focused on letting go of anything that no longer serves me – physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
That might look like:
- Releasing unhealthy habits
- Clearing clutter including old bills and letters
- Giving old clothes and shoes to charity
- Creating boundaries that feel comfortable for you
- Closing chapters that are not aligned
- Shifting relationship dynamics
- Making room for peace
This step felt like an exhale. A quiet clearing opening up for new energy.
This year, I’m not striving for perfection.
I’m choosing intentional living.
I’m choosing wellness that feels grounding, not demanding.
And I’m reminding myself that small, continuous steps create lasting change.
If you’re entering 2026 carrying heaviness from last year, know that you don’t need to do everything. You simply need to begin where you are with whatever feels good for you.
Take one step at a time.