OUT: New Year’s Resolutions
In 2026 I’m choosing rest, realism, and not forcing the glow-up
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I never know when the right time to stop saying that is.
Two weeks into the new year and I’ve accomplished nothing! And surprisingly… I don’t care.
I am officially claiming that New Year’s resolutions are OUT for 2026.
I love the concept of New Year’s - and even more so, going out and having fun on New Year’s Eve. Unpopular opinion, but it’s actually one of my favorite holidays because it’s something pretty much everyone on earth celebrates. (Yes, at different times of the year for different cultures, yeah, yeah)
But no matter what race or religion, the one thing no one can argue with is the concept of time.
It’s not like Thanksgiving or Christmas, where you need friends, family, or a religious practice. Or Valentine’s Day, a.k.a. Singles Awareness Day. (Trust me, we’re already well aware.) New Year’s is just about marking time - reflecting on what’s passed and imagining what’s next. I’ve always found that really special.
As a Virgo moon girlie, like clockwork, I’d get excited to do my little rituals:
Making sure all Christmas decorations were down before New Year’s
Deep cleaning and purging my entire condo before the clock struck 12
Blowing cinnamon through the front door for abundance
Wearing pink or red underwear to bring love into my life (lol… hasn’t worked yet)
Honoring my Southern Black American roots with collard greens and black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day - also for $$$
Journaling and doing a reflection audit of the past year
Visualization meditations for what I wanted the next year to look like
And most importantly… making a vision board and crafting goals for the new year
But that very last bullet? I struggled with it hard this year.
I put off making my vision board, which is literally unheard of for me. I finally forced myself to make one on January 3rd, but I didn’t feel passionate or excited about it at all.
And I don’t really know why, but I just don’t have a lot of goals or expectations for this year. I have zero urge to try and change my life overnight.
I have no strict resolutions. No consistency challenges.
No “this is the year I finally ___.”
I want to be very clear: this is completely out of character for me. I’m someone who loves self-development, loves a list, loves detailed steps and timelines for executing a goals spreadsheet. So to have nothing to really strive toward? Actually insane.
What’s even crazier is I know I’m not alone.
I’ve seen so much discourse online about people having absolutely zero interest in setting goals or New Year’s resolutions for 2026. It genuinely feels like some sort of collective consciousness thing — because why do we all feel this way??
Even January gym membership sign-ups are down this year. We have collectively stopped caring, and honestly… I love that for us. (Also crossing my fingers this means my hot yoga and strength classes won’t stay booked all month.)
In all honesty, 2026 …just isn’t giving “strive for more.”
It’s giving “I’m just doing my best.” LOL
Like I wrote in my previous post, “Maybe We’re Meant to Slow Down” winter is not the time to ramp things up, start something new, or force motivation. This is the season for reflection and rest. For chilling out.
When you really break it down, it makes sense. Nearly 80% of people abandon their resolutions by February anyway. Biologically, we are not wired for high output during this season. Let’s save all that newfound motivation for spring, babe.
I’m also still actively unlearning the belief that productivity equals self-worth.
It doesn’t.
It’s not always going to be a busy season. I’m not always going to be consistent. I’m not always going to be hitting milestones or “making progress.” And that has to be okay. It is okay to rest. It’s okay to not be building or optimizing or accomplishing something at all times.
This year, I’m good luv. Enjoy.
With all these “ins and outs” lists floating around social media, New Year’s resolutions are the #1 OUT on my list.I just don’t have it in me. I’m done. Who cares? It’s wack anyway!
What is in for 2026 is a regulated nervous system.
Doing things when they feel fun or inspired.
Not holding myself to unrealistic standards just because the calendar changed.
What’s in this year is living!
Being present!
Letting life unfold without forcing it. I’m not chasing a better version of myself this year. I’m just letting the current one breathe.
And honestly?
That feels like enough.