Preparing for the New Year 2026

As the end of 2025 approaches, many will decide to set a “New Year’s Resolution,” often with a vague focus on “eating better” or “going to the gym.” Let’s take a moment to consider how we might identify areas of potential change in a realistic and meaningful way, using “the three R’s.”

Step 1: Reflect

Find a quiet time and space to sit and reflect on 2025. What obstacles have you overcome? What are your favorite memories? What did you enjoy doing, and what might you like to continue in 2026? Starting the process with gratitude towards the past year can help cultivate a healthier mindset entering the new year.

Step 2: Recognize

Try your best to recognize your strengths and areas of growth from the past year. Can the former help you in your efforts to address the latter? For instance, if you have done well this past year in reaching out to others socially, but want to further develop your mindfulness practice, you might consider finding a meditation group or class to add a social dynamic.

Step 3: Reconnect

Find ways to reconnect with your values. Do you value creativity but find it absent in your day-to-day life? You might decide to find time to draw, play an instrument, or redesign a space in your home. Alternatively, is something you believe to be unimportant taking up a lot of your time and energy? Perhaps you could find a way to reduce or eliminate it, or incorporate your values into it.

No matter what you decide, remember that change is often incremental. Please remember to be kind to yourself. Wishing you all a happy and healthy New Year!