The start of a new year always seems to come with deep reflection. Every January, we collectively analyze how we have grown over the past year and set resolutions for how we will grow in the coming year. Yet, lately, I have ironically found myself reflecting on the idea of New Year’s Resolutions themselves. Why do we make resolutions? And why is “go to the gym more” or “eat healthier” always at the top of our lists? I would like to disrupt this shallow concept of resolutions to offer a more reflective way of thinking about the new year. What better way to do so than talking about my 2026 Ins and Outs?
Why do we make resolutions? And why is "go to the gym more" or "eat healthier" always at the top of our lists?
My Ins:
Letter writing (to myself and others):
Write a letter to your future (or past) self detailing how you have or want to grow. Or maybe write letters to your closest friends about why you value your relationship. There is really no end to the types of letters you can write, which is why it is such a great practice to take with you this year!
Giving compliments
Compliments are so easy to give and are low effort! Tell someone you love their smile, or that green looks so good on them. The other day, a girl stopped me to say that she loved my scarf. For the record, I was having a horrendous day—and her compliment lifted my mood immediately. What is stopping us from regularly complimenting strangers? I'll certainly be giving them out often in 2026.
Being authentically YOU
With social media, much of what we do and how we express ourselves has become a sort of performance - so much so that we feel the need to dress or act a certain way to be accepted by society. This year, I want to wear the clothes I want to wear and listen to the music that I love, not because it's popular, but because I enjoy it! Try to get in touch with yourself and your interests through journaling or even taking a step away from the influences of social media.
My Outs:
New Year Rebrands
I'll confess that the “2026 rebrand” trend has never made much sense to me. What are we rebranding to be? It feels like an excuse to feed into overconsumption and to hyper-analyze our lives. However bored with ourselves we may be, there is rarely a reason to change almost everything about ourselves. The verdict is… OUT!
Grind culture
Sometimes I want to rest, and I am tired of acting as if rest is giving up or being lazy. I don't want to wake up at 4 am every morning and drink bone broth with greens. In 2026, I am going to be more cognizant about how grind culture pushes an impossible lifestyle. Let's give ourselves grace for the moments when we need extra love, understanding, and a few more minutes of sleep.
Relationship cynicism
When did we all become so mistrusting of each other? To be clear, I am a huge proponent of setting and respecting boundaries. But I find that more and more, we are cutting friends and other relationships off before anyone has the chance to truly communicate. People do make mistakes. We hurt each other by accident, and sometimes even on purpose. This year, I will often return to Mia Mingus’ essay, The Four Parts of Accountability, in which she talks about how to rectify harm and conflict in our relationships with one another. I am challenging myself to get more comfortable with the idea of accountability since, as Mingus says, “True accountability, by its very nature, should push us to grow and change, to transform.”
Find inspiration in those who prioritize becoming a better person, not just for themselves, but also for their community.
There is a point where self-improvement becomes self-obsession. We are constantly teaching ourselves that growth only comes when you optimize every minute of your day. If you are just as disillusioned with New Year's resolutions as I am, take the time to create your own transformative list of goals and intentions. Find inspiration in those who prioritize becoming a better person, not just for themselves, but also for their community.
