A Gentle Welcome to 2026
Over goal setting already?!
If you’re anything like me, 2026 has come in with a shift already. Maybe it came quietly, maybe it was prominent, but it’s here with an energy of “Game ON”!
Some days I feel thrilled with the prospect of a new year, some days it just makes me overwhelmed and tired thinking about it.
There is a lot of conversation and noise about setting goals, intentions, guiding words and all of the things. You know me - I can truly get behind this! There is scientific evidence that taking action on goals boosts your motivation, confidence, and self-esteem as well as changes your life. It is a highly effective method for enhancing your growth mindset as you prove to yourself that change is possible. There are a million and one tools and methods to reach your goals whether they’re SMART goals, Cycle Synced goals (check out my last several posts on Instagram for insight into this method), heart-centered goal setting … I could keep going but I won’t. You get the idea.
There is also the group that chooses a guiding word - whether you find it through journaling, observation, meditation or simply claiming it. This concept is one word that either you find, or it finds you, meant to guide and remind you of your highest intention as you move through the year. You can find many options to anchor it into your daily environment - bracelets, posters, Canva templates, artwork, necklaces and more. If you really want to go deep, you could choose to tattoo it where you’ll see it! (Just be prepared for the future armsleeve after 20 years of tattooing an annual word 🤭And please send me a picture … this could be kinda cool!)
However, if neither of these techniques are landing or you find yourself in a season where you don’t really know what your future vision or self looks like, I want to propose a more gentle entrance into the New Year. I have leaned into this tactic over the last few years & loved the expansiveness it provides. These years have come with a lot of transition, letting go, and uncertainty so you can understand why creating a vision or desired life was proving challenging. Instead, I take time (as much as needed) to listen to my soul and think about how I want to FEEL. When uncertainty hits, our brains go into protective mode (fight, flight, freeze or fawn) which takes us completely out of creativity or the rationality that requires our prefrontal cortex to create action steps needed to reach set goals.
When we tap back into our bodies, slow our breath and listen to our hearts the nervous system naturally re-regulates allowing you to look forward.
Setting a desired feeling, provides a gentle nudge each morning allowing you to begin taking tiny action steps. For example, last year I wanted to feel grounded and connected. Some mornings when I asked myself what I could do to feel grounded and connected, my answer was as simple as calling a friend; taking three slow, deep breaths throughout the day; or choosing a workout to feel connected to my strength. Other times it was the nudge to have a challenging conversation; seek support; or allowing myself the ugly tears in the shower. It ebbed and flowed with my energy so I could take larger action when I felt as if my soul was firing on all cylinders or a bit more gently on days where everything felt hard.
You might not need to set time aside to know your desired feeling - it may be as obvious as the trees outside your window. However, if the task feels a bit ambiguous I encourage you to consider the following questions either in your journal (because we know that writing things down strengthens our brain connections) or by simply asking yourself and paying attention to what comes up:
How did last year feel? How do I currently feel?
Am I living my life in a way that feels true and authentic or is there something missing or more?
Right now, in this very moment, how do I want to feel?
If I look back on 2026 12 months from now, and absolutely nothing has changed in how I feel, will I be content and satisfied?
With your hands on your heart and eyes closed, take 3 deep breaths and ask yourself simply, “How do I want 2026 to feel?”
The truth of the matter is 2026, and life in general, is going to dish up some “stuff”. This is the reality of life. Having a feeling to connect to, especially in the chaos or overwhelm, helps your nervous system settle into a healthy pattern, provides your brain with a gentle redirection, and allows you to live in alignment moment to moment.
If this lands with you, I would love more than anything to hear the feeling you’re leaning into. I’ll share first. My feeling for the year is confidence. Not the kind where I feel invincible, but the confidence that is deeply rooted into every cell of my being in a way that I present with a calm and grounded energy no matter what. The confidence that knows God’s plan for me is greater than my own. I was even more excited when I recently learned the latin root meaning of confidence is con (with) fidere (trust or faith) = with faith. As my sweet neighbor friend likes to say, “It’s a God wink.” 💖
Sending you much love in this New Year~
Caryn
