My New Year's Resolution/Theme for 2026
I don't set traditional new year's resolutions, as I've found that my personality turns them into something to rebel against. ("Eat healthy" morphs into "Screw you, predatory diet culture!") Instead I set yearly themes, which have run the gamut from "Patience and Fortitude," (the names of NYC's library lions!) to "Read and Write." Last year? It was "Fuck the Patriarchy." Kind of proud of that one and I don't mean to brag, but I nailed it.
What's this year's theme?
Hold Myself to a Slightly Higher Standard.
Not asking perfection of myself, as the pursuit of such is doomed to failure -- instead it's a "slightly" higher standard. I'm actually pretty content with who I am and how I live my life. I'm on top of my adult responsibilities, I nourish my important friendships, I'm ridiculously on top of my finances, I spend my waking hours wisely and I just completed my bingo card of yearly health care appointments. (Annual physical, mammogram, colonoscopy, dermatologist and endocrinologist.) So . . . clean bill of health!
However, everyone can do slightly better. I can spend a little less time in front of the TV, I can walk instead of drive for some of my shorter errands, I can grab a library book instead of scrolling Instagram. Sometimes, not always. Expecting 100% compliance is not realistic and pushes the "Why even bother?!" button in my brain.
Do slightly better.
Slightly.
It's attainable and unlike so many standard new year's resolutions is not based in societal misogyny. I'm pretty damned great, but maybe I can level up my life the teensiest amount.
What do you think, does this resonate with you? Are you setting a new year's resolution that you're comfortable sharing? Either way . . . happy new year, you're amazing the way you are!
I think I need a word for the year and it's "Push". I want to push more to work for social justice and for those in need. I am not unhappy with my life but I think I could do more for others that are less fortunate.
An excellent word/theme/resolution for sure!
Katy, I like how you think! This resonates with me because it's realistic, responsible and reachable. If you by chance happen to do something more than slightly better, you can give yourself extra credit if you choose.
In 2026, I resolve to do more for others in both time and money.
Doing more for others is an excellent goal, thank you for sharing!
Like you, I do better with themes. (I have an oppositional streak, I guess.)
One thing I’m doing is deleting my Fetch app, because it doesn’t work for me. All my receipts get me exactly 25 points. Eating Whole Foods doesn’t pay. I’ve put in a big effort to find and scan other people’s receipts, but they eat Whole Foods as well, so I give up. I’ve played the games to earn points, but then I spend WAY too much time playing silly games. It’s just not worth it to me!
In addition to my usual “be healthier” theme, I’m also focusing on my mental wellness. I’ve decided to go “gray rock” with my snobbish sister-in-law. It’s exhausting to be around someone who is constantly sending little signals that they’ve won at life. Here’s the thing: her definition of “winning” (conspicuous consumption of status stuff) is different than my definition. I’m not going to change her. For this reason, I will make an effort to avoid engaging with her unless it is necessary. I’ll stick with topics like the weather. (Maybe she’ll tell me that the sun shines brighter on her house. Haha.)
I hope it will be a good year for everyone!
I have to laugh, because I have someone who is always in competition with me regarding weather. If it's 20° here, it's 10° there. If I have 30 mph winds, they have 40. If it's 90°, it's 93 there. If it's not, I don't hear anything until it is worse weather where they are...I am flummoxed by this. And usually I'm just answering the question of how's the weather? I already feel like I lose at a lot of things so adding losing at weather seems ridiculous...
Also, good information about fetch. I kept thinking I should try to reach out to see if anyone could use my receipts but ours are whole food plant-based as well for the most part.
I have one of those SIL! I forgive myself and my reactions (I don't have a poker face, but she must think I have bad teeth because I grimace quite a lot in her presence and when asked I say I have a cavity...bwah ha ha).
Good for you, put on that rock armor and let your smile reach your eyes, that way she will know what she's missing in not having a real relationship with you. so sad, Her loss.
OK, for general New Year's entertainment, here's my personal favorite SIL/MIL story: DH and I were hosting a family Memorial Day BBQ, and I'd been taking guff from MIL and SIL for the entire meal about my food prep and my general lack of entertainment skills. As things were winding down, I was sitting on the top step of our deck, exhausted, stressed out, and wishing everyone would go home already--when our then dog came prancing up from the backyard after rolling in something unspeakable, and circulated gaily among the guests. She cleared that deck in 30 seconds flat. I gave her some extra Milk-Bones after I'd finished cleaning her up. 😛
You paint a vivid picture!
It is so difficult to engage with people like that, because even though you aren’t playing their game (and have chosen not to), they act is if they are winning and superior because of it, and almost use interactions with others as a way to feel better about themselves. Very icky feeling.
I'm in that same "Fetch" category as you, as my groceries rarely get the bonus ponts, this is why my scavenged parking lot receipts are so fun.
Rock on, Li!
I really like new years and the feeling of a fresh start even though I never make New Year’s resolutions so not sure why I like that fresh start feeling so much!
I make changes as they occur to me, I made some pretty significant changes throughout the last year, including transition to a whole food plant based diet, giving up alcohol and adding in regular strength training (have always been good about doing cardio but never did strength training). The changes have been very positive, I feel the best I ever have, so I guess for 2026 my goal is to keep on keepin’ on.
I'm impressed that you became an objectively stronger person in 2025!
I so love this. I am going to adopt it also! Do slightly better. With savings, with deep anxiety and angst about my middle kid, with my exercise, sleeping, eating, and trying not to overwork myself for my part time work!!!! Yes!!!
I'm so sorry that you're dealing with anxiety and angst, sending you a big virtual hug!
IMHO, the easiest way to not break your New Year's Resolutions is....to not make them in the first place!
Anyone can start over, or start to break a bad habit, at any time. So waiting until Jan. 1 is just plain silly.
However, I love the theme of slightly better. Reminds me of one of my call center supervisors: she said she knew the work could be repetitive and boring, but she advised us to try to make it a bit more exciting by setting little personal challenges/goals for ourselves: "I'll complete one more call than I did yesterday." "I'll score 5 points better on this month's audit." And so on.
This year, I want to up my book reading a bit (as opposed to computer rotting, is that a term?) and set a firm number of things to dispose of every day by tossing/recycling, giving/selling/donating or organizing/storing in a new place. I'm still not certain what a reasonable number would be for all that.
Happy New Year, Y'all! May 2026 be the start of the BEST of your life!
Someone on here is getting rid of the number of items that matches total of all the days in the month (adding up 1,2,3,4 etc) . I forget the number, and I don't know if they were doing one thing on the first, and two on the second, or just heading for the big number, but in any case it sounded like a decent goal
I, however, am not disciplined enough to remember to keep counting, but I will join you in doing some removals!
And a "Happy New Year" back at you! And yes, "computer rotting" is definitely a thing!
Having a word or phrase to remember and ponder throughout the year has been a positive experience for me. “Grace” is a word that helps me remember that not only do I need grace and am thankful when others show grace to me, but also that I can and must show grace to others. Though grace has religious meaning for me, substitute “kind.” I think it works well.
Lovely.
Reading this post and comments while sipping a gifted Roscato out of a sentimental mug because I gave away all of our wine glasses to prepare for a move that seems further and farther away every time I think of it. The idea of themes intrigues me! I haven't done a resolution in years and years. I think for myself, I've really been wanting to be more present this last year and struggled mentally so I think it's something I'll continue working on. I'd also like to be a more calm parent and mother with more grace than I had growing up. I'll raise my (slightly stained and scuffed) glass (mug) to being a present, calmer parent. Cheers, everyone
I raise my thrifted mug back at you!
I'm guessing you're a better parents than you think you are.
I think my word is whimsy. We need more whimsy in our house!
Katy I love the new blog but I really miss the buttons for previous post and next post. The popular post pics you have now aren’t as easy to navigate. It’s harder to flick through the posts in chronological order and check I haven’t missed any, or read back through the blog in order. Would you consider re-establishing them? Thanks for thinking about it!
I hate the new format. I'm so sorry, I need to start from scratch.
The lions are named Patience and Fortitude.
THANK YOU for reminding me of this. I knew this, but my brain got in the way.
🙂
I want to be slightly better at a lot of things. I want to be better at remembering to do things -- like taking my blood pressure and stretching! I want to be more proactive about increasing income -- eBay here I come! I want to exercise more regularly. I want to be more mindful on a daily basis. But slightly is really the key. Big changes never take.
The James Clear book, "Atomic Habits", (which I have only read in bits in articles), talks about the aggregation of marginal gains. He uses the example of the British cycling team and how their coach turned them around by making things 1% better at a time. Improving daily by 1% means a yearly improvement of 37%. Losing 1% a day means decreasing to almost nothing.
So I wish all who are looking for small changes the best, because it will add up!
Wondering…how does one measure 1% improvement. I understand adding 1% more distance ridden or 1% more weight lifted, though distance or weight may be barely measurable. 1% faster? Please help me understand. Thank you.
Sorry-- I don't know. So much of athletics is measured in numbers that that could be figured. But I think some of it was just knowing it was a small change, like making the bicycle seats more comfortable, determining better clothing, etc.
Subjective math is the best math! 😉
That is so true about "big changes!"
My thought for the year is Be Here Now -- stay present in the moment.
Lovely.
Your mention of the lions made me wonder if our Chicago lions, standing outside the Art Institute, had names. They don't, really. They have descriptions. One is "on the prowl" and the other is "in the attitude of defiance." Both of which could be resolutions!
"On the prowl" as a resolution? I need to think this one over, but I think I can work with it!
I've already said a little about my aims for 2026 both here and at The Frugal Girl. But given all the mentions here of Patience and Fortitude (the NY Public Library lions), I'm moved to add this one: Because I know I'm going to need increased patience and fortitude in my friendship with NDN1 (whose slow cognitive decline continues), I'm going to strive for those. She is about to need CF and me to take a bigger role in her finances (and I'll probably be doing a lot of this, since I'm closer at hand). CF and I also agree that she's already overdue for a move to assisted living--although getting her to agree to this is going to be "the Lord's work" (as NDN1's CPA already refers to our help with NDN1's tax paperwork). And doing all this with due respect for her autonomy and her right to make her own decisions--well, may the Force be with us.
Oops . . . I knew the lion names, but my brain got in the way.
I am once again overwhelmed by your kindsness.
This post really has caused me to stop and think. I agree with Fru-GAL that my resolutions happen without regard to the date. I tend to move quickly into what’s next. I want to do a better job of reflecting on the things I’ve accomplished.
When setting goals I try to focus on getting 1% better. The resolutions that people shared about their impact on others have resonated heavily with me this year.
I love this, thank you for sharing your 1%!
Hi Katy,
My New Year’s “generally do better through out the year” is to connect with people I often think about, but haven’t put those thoughts into action.
So. I remember that this week is your birthday and I’m writing to re-connect and to wish you a happy birthday.
I’m glad you were born and I got to see you grow up and also be a part
of your wedding in a marriage that’s (according to things you’re grateful for) been a very good one.
All my best wishes for a fun and happy birthday and many more to come.
Sonja
Love this! My resolution is to be more upfront about my feelings, especially when it’s hard.
Robyn, that's a good one. Your feelings matter.
I have a milestone birthday coming mid 2028. My goal is to have our farm paid for as a birthday gift to myself. Our farm is 60% paid for now, so it's quite a lofty goal. Honestly, I have not exactly figured out how to get there, but I keep working the numbers. I've got unlisted ebay items, I could add a couple enterprises, sell some (paper) stock, not livestock.
I'd like to fine tune my books and spreadsheets. Work on my business not just in the business.
I'd like to tamp down chaos and create a feeling of calm. Sometimes it feels like all I do is fight fires and crises. I like to be busy but I resent being frantic.
I need to get back on the treadmill. Twice per week would be good.
2026 word "proficient".
I think that "tamp down chaos" needs to be the #1 resolution for everyone!
I love your New Year’s resolution theme.
My New Year’s resolutions are:
1. Be more mindful about what I spend money on.
2. Read 75 books
3. Lose 50lbs by the time I turn 40 in July
That's a lot of books, but I love this resolution!
Yes- showing up more for Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Venezuela(the new Iraq).
I'm also leaning into a theme, rather than specific resolutions.
I want to focus more on people this year, more on it here: https://practicalwalk.com/2026/01/02/2026-theme/
Some years I had "saying of the year" (last year was : slowing down/being selective). This year it's more straight foward:
- Moving my body at least 30 min per day, everyday. Even if it's just walking the dog
- Keeping my calories around a fixed amount (I want to drop 50 pounds)
- Being selective my screen time + read more instead
- Going to bed at 9h30 whenever possible, with a book or Sudoku (no screen!!!)
Happy New Year!
Such great ideas, goals, resolutions and themes! I tend to take care of "my issues" as they arise. I often have a word or theme at this time of year. My word/theme this year is PAUSE. I want to pause more automatically when making decisions, interacting with others, eating, reacting etc.
Thank you Katy for the platform here. I'm so inspired.
I love this! Small changes add up.
My motto for 2026 is “why not?” I hope it will encourage me to step outside my thinking loop and get into all sorts of shenanigans
Love your last year's theme... 🙂
This year's theme for me is Ease & Enough. With all things I will ask "does this bring ease into my life?" And everyday practice getting away from perfection and over doing and welcoming the concept of enough. Good enough, that's enough, enough stuff... you get the picture.