Don’t start 2026 without doing this FIRST

Don’t make this mistake.

Starting 2026 with unrealistic goals, driven by the fantasy of a fresh start, without taking the time to reflect on the lessons 2025 offered.

It’s so easy to fall into this trap.

The pressure of a “BIG” year like 2026 can create an expectation that growth and change automatically will happen.

We romanticize the idea of a blank slate, imagining that the challenges of the past will magically disappear. But come February, many of us feel disheartened, disappointed by the weight of our own expectations.

And there’s a reason for that.

It’s the shiny object syndrome — the belief that something new will finally be “the thing” that changes everything.

So we rush into new goals, plans, and aspirations without pausing to reflect on what the past year taught us or what actually mattered most.

We chase the dopamine hit of something new… but when it’s not grounded in reflection, that excitement fades quickly and leaves us stuck.

But here’s the truth:

The lessons of 2025 are the real gems — the ones that will shape a purposeful and meaningful 2026.

You have a choice in how you close out this year.

You can rush toward 2026, fantasizing about the possibilities — the trips, the opportunities, the “new you” energy.

Or you can slow down, reflect intentionally, and actually integrate the lessons 2025 offered you.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself:

-What was most meaningful in 2025?

-Why did 2025 need to happen the way it did?

-What do I need to acknowledge or release before stepping into 2026?

This past year has been a story of change, challenges, and transformation—both individually and collectively.

Before we welcome what’s next, let’s make space for closure, reflection, and gratitude before we step into the new year.

Much love,

Nora