New Year, New Themes (2026)
In the end of 2024, I had decided to make a vision board themed around a "color of the year"; I had such fun creating the vision board and my goals surrounding and designing it (a light, sage green for 2025), that I decided to do it again this year!
I had been successful in my loose aspirations last year, so I ruminated on what color I wanted for 2026. After centering and letting myself remain open...my self offered "orange"! And not a super saturated, overwhelming orange, for the record: a burnt orange, a tad muted but strong and malleable, like terracotta or clay.
My themes of the year are derived from that color, for the most part. I've sorted them into 3 overarching categories or mindset shifts: Strength and Resilience; Clarity and Intention; Exploration and Expansion.
Strength and Resilience
This is the core of all of my goals for the year, if I'm honest. I have been very passive in my own life for the past few years, and have only recently begun to intentionally shape my life how I want it to be. This mindset reminds me that I need to put in the effort, even when it is hard, because that is how it will get easier over time, and because what I'm working towards is worth it. I also want to take better care of my health, especially my physical health, as I have been quite stagnant when not at work.
Tangible Tactics
- stretches every other day, if not daily
- progressive workouts, especially arms (but legs as well)
- trying things outside of my comfort zone at least twice before doing something else
Clarity and Intention
While it might not seem quite aligned with the other categories, I want to be more determined in my honesty with myself, and my expression of that honesty to others. I want to stand up for myself more concretely in a productive manner. In order to do that, I have to authentically communicate with myself first to ensure I know why something is My Truth.
Tangible Tactics
- journal at least once a week
- reflect on WHY I am adding a task to my to-do list, and see if I can find a deeper reason than "because I have to" in order to motivate myself to do it
Exploration and Expansion
The final mindset I want to peruse is exploratory: I want to discover and try new things, and allow myself to do them without overthinking the 'hows' or 'what ifs' all the time. I can learn from the failures too, and as long as they aren't Big or Dangerous, I need to allow myself some slack. Most of what I want to explore is tied to my professional life and lack thereof. I am currently employed, but have been in the same position for 3.5 years now and do not intend to climb in my location; thus, time to explore!
Tangible Tactics
- explore what I value, enjoy, and am good at in a work environment so I can develop those skills
- do more volunteer work once I graduate with my A.A. in May to build skills and add to resume
- apply for and get a new position within my company but in a different location or line of business
Overall, I have many things I want to work on this year, plus some more concrete goals and future achievements I will detail in another post. I'll be traveling a lot this year, and making a more concerted effort to read semi-consistently via a reading challenge!
If you have any New Year's traditions or dreams, I hope they bring you joy and fulfillment to tide you throughout the year. Happy 2026, my friend!