How will you begin 2026?

Just like that, here we are in a new year - Happy New Year! Can we say that for the entire month of January?! When we turn the page of the calendar, this often prompts people to take stock - what was accomplished or enjoyed in 2025 and how do we hope 2026 unfolds? This week, we each share how we approach a fresh year - whether that means a word of the year, new goals, family resolutions, setting intentions or just living life another day at a time. We hope you see yourself in one of these approaches, or perhaps this provides some inspiration for your own march into the new year. Whether than means focus, authenticity or alignment - read on for our thoughts.

Kim, Home Connoisseur from @Reverie.and.Root & Founder of Spilling Goodness

As 2025 brought some twists and turns that I certainly didn't see coming, I'm reallly excited to see how 2026 unfolds. With that, I'll be revisiting and setting some intentions for how I want to show up for myself and my people as well as thinking about some goals. In my mind, intentions aren't resolutions because they don't start and stop, but they are ongoing guideposts. For example, one intention at the top of my forever list is, "I will be a present and connected mom and wife." This feels centering and helps me make daily decisions.

Beyond intentions, I usually try to spend a journaling session thinking about goals. I break them down into areas of my life (i.e. health, home, relationships, career, travel, etc.) and think about both practical (actually achievable) goals and a few "reach goals" (something that feels both exciting and scary). This year, I may try doing a vision board to help bring some clarity to how I want to embrace this one precious life. If anyone has tried putting together a vision board, I'd love any thoughts!

Rebecca, Woman's Leadership Coach from @PleasantlyAggressive

The Word of the Year is an easy one. Setting an intention, a vibe, and a notion about who I want to be throughout the year. Something that has been lacking in the past, or something new I want to take on. My word for 2025 was FOCUSED. I will carry it over into 2026, but I’m adding another word… yet to be determined!

Setting goals doesn’t have to happen before January 1. It can be a process that takes place over the first few weeks of the year. I want to reflect on the goals I accomplished in 2025, what I didn’t, and why it was hard to follow through. With that knowledge, I can set attainable, aspirational goals. I can also look out for the roadblocks that might get in the way of making my goals a reality.

The one step I intend to take this year is share my goals with a friend. I want to be intentional about an accountability partner so we can check in on each other, encourage progress, and provide support where needed.

Ashley, Millennial Mom Nutrition Coach from @AshleyBreaksTheCycle

I don't do New Year's resolutions or a word of the year. TBH, my past has taught me that stuff doesn't work for me. However, if I did decide to do anything (and I guess as I'm writing this it's coming to me) that would be authenticity. And by doing that I have decided to use less chatGPT/AI and more words of my own, even if that means it's harder to understand or follow what I have to say. I've never been a great writer or maybe that's just my college professor's words ringing in my head, but I feel more connected to others when I know they're hearing it from me and not just a robot.

AI is really taking off and I get that there may be a time and place for it but I fear that takeover is going to disconnect us more than ever. After COVID hit, so many of us took to our homes and isolated ourselves. We mostly live "online." I get that because I am one of those people. So, perhaps because of that I need to make sure I am not disassociating all of myself by putting MY words out there not someone else's. SO, cheers to more of my voice, my words, my thoughts and ideas and hopefully yours too!

Emilee, Book Aficionado from @The BookClubCart

Not only do I find the new year exciting, I always enjoy reflecting back on the previous year. Not only the highs, but also the lows. Every year we grow as a family and I grow as a person. I love seeing the kids changing, but this also makes me equally sad to see them getting bigger and older. One year, in this phase of our life, can encompass so much change. It is unbelievable to see these changes unravel over the last 12 months.

I personally have never been one to make resolutions or set goals, but I enjoy the excitement of it all. I love that we all collectively want to become better versions of ourselves. There is something really special about that.

If I were to set personal goals for myself, I would probably center it around growing in my faith and continue my learning on healthy living (i.e. nutrition, exercise). Family goals would be a fun discussion with my family and something that would make a great project for us all to do together.

As for The Book Club Cart - Ali and I definitely have plans to grow it! We have enjoyed every minute and immensely thankful to you all for following along with us.

Ali, Book Aficionado from @The BookClubCart

This year, my goal is to slow the spiral of over-focusing on one area while neglecting the others. I plan to start each morning by reflecting on my intentions for the day and thoughtfully allocating time so I can show up more evenly—for myself, my family, and the responsibilities I care about.

My mental and physical health are my number one priority in 2026. That isn’t a resolution I plan to rush through or abandon when life gets busy. My husband recently reminded me of one of the best pieces of advice he’s ever received: you can’t show up for your family, your work, or the people you love if you don’t show up for yourself first. That truth is guiding me into this new year.

As I read this back, I realize I may not have chosen a single word, a formal resolution, or a neatly packaged goal—and maybe that’s okay. If anything, 2026 is about alignment. About honoring what actually matters, creating space to breathe, and trusting that when I care for myself first, everything else has a better chance to fall into place.

Pin this post for later:

How will you begin 2026?