by Blake herzog
If you’re looking ahead to 2026 with a little bit of trepidation, you’re not alone. Whether it’s financial pressure, health concerns or being weighed down by the world’s problems after too much screen time, we all have anxieties that we project into the future.
So, this is a great time to work on a shift in perspective — embracing optimism and that will make this year much more enjoyable and productive.
Practice self-compassion
Catch yourself before you start berating yourself for a small gaffe like misplacing your keys or stumbling over a crack in the sidewalk. Instead of labeling yourself an “idiot,” work to be more present in the moment so you can avoid mishaps like these.
Strive to treat yourself with fairness, holding yourself to the same standards you would for a friend or relative, rather than sky-high expectations you’ll never be able to meet.
Set personal and professional boundaries
Don’t cede control over your time and space to anyone else beyond reasonable limits. Stop checking work email while you’re off the clock and learn to say no to asks you simply don’t have the schedule or headspace for.
This will reduce the pressure you’re under and free up your energy to better meet the obligations you still have with a better attitude and outlook.
Define and embrace your values
Drawing those boundaries may be difficult if you’re not sure what your core principles are. Taking time to nail these down will make it much easier to set priorities and be confident you’re living a life with purpose.
One approach to this is to list what’s important to you (and not to outside influencers), choose the top two to four and rank them for yourself. There are many other exercises you could use to clarify your values.
Move into mindfulness
Whether you’ve been embracing it for decades or are trying it for the first time, mindfulness requires consistent practice for you to reap the most benefits.
Being able to be fully present in what we’re doing without becoming overly reactive to it isn’t easy, but inserting brief pauses into your day and taking longer breaks for meditation exercises will reduce your stress, sharpen your focus and promote your creativity and problem-solving skills.
Limit social media
We all know by now that social media sites tend to promote dissatisfaction with our own lives through comparison to the highlights that everyone else sends to your feed. It’s rife with harassment and bullying, yet many people still find it addictive. Even if you enjoy connecting with friends through the platforms, it’s wise to step back and set a limit on your activity, setting aside a handful of 15-minute blocks per day or week to curb any impulses you have to check it.
Have fun!
Don’t forget to allot time for doing what you truly enjoy, which will give you the boost needed to get through all of the other stuff.
If you’re lucky your job falls into that category but regardless, ensure you have time for family activities and adventures, sports and fitness, hobbies and creativity, entertainment and travel. You can even work dancing and music into your chores. You don’t always have to take life so seriously.
Gratitude before sleep
Thankfulness and gratitude are something we all need to reinforce. It’s easy to get caught up in our daily struggles and feel like the deck is stacked against us, so it’s incumbent upon us to connect with the positive influences and situations that help keep us afloat in stormy seas.
A frequent recommendation is to write down three things you’re grateful for before going to bed each night — it promotes better sleep while allowing you to reflect on and celebrate all that you’re grateful for.
