As we dive into the year 2026, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking and self-reflection. Initially, I wanted to give you all a smashing list of “Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions” that would leave you feeling inspired, renewed, refreshed, and ready to tackle whatever comes your way. Instead, I’ve found myself feeling rather stuck and unsure of what advice I can even offer in today’s unprecedented times on both human and “flutistic” levels.
We often create our new year’s resolutions out of a desire to shake off the old, whether it be our lingering undesirable habits, mindsets that are no longer serving us as we move to evolve, or even people, places, and things that don’t enrich our lives or bring us joy. I always personally feel that I end up focusing on organization tactics and the classic adoption of a new workout routine or plan to reach a fitness goal. This year feels different, and a reflective piece seemed like the only appropriate option. Perhaps keeping it simple is the best way to go. So, here are three things I’m recommending—with resolve—to give us all a jump start at making 2026 better than 2025.
Admittedly, the first is absolutely related to an organizational revamp. After lamenting that I *never* seem to accomplish everything on my various to-do lists, my husband suggested that I create a “To-Done” list instead. This idea came about during the 43-day government shutdown when he was furloughed from his federal position and felt the strong urge to remain productive. The “To-Done” list concept is simple: you only write down things you’ve actually completed rather than your list of what still needs to be accomplished.
When I started implementing the “To-Done” list into my day-to-day, it revealed what I spent my time on in relation to, perhaps, what I was avoiding checking off my “must accomplish soon” list. It also showed me that, yes, I was doing a lot more than I gave myself credit for because I finally recognized the various pieces of “invisible” work that take up quite a bit of my time and energy. I wouldn’t typically include “replied thoughtfully to five emails” or “toddler bathtime” as regular items on my to-do list; but, on my “To-Done” list even those mundane yet time-and-energy-consuming tasks were successes I could document throughout my day. I highly recommend trying it out if you also feel that your never-ending task list is bogging you down from appreciating the small wins.
Resolution number two to consider for 2026: boundaries. This one is hard for me, and I’m sure I’m not alone in finding it challenging. Setting a limit on something can be tough to create in the first place, and boundaries can be even harder to adhere. I find this especially when it comes to managing personal media consumption or working against people-pleasing tendencies in day-to-day interactions. I’m citing my husband again here because he keeps me grounded and often recalibrates me when I need it. He reminded me recently that “no” is a full sentence. Saying “no” to something is great practice for establishing and maintaining boundaries in many circumstances.
I’ve had to say no to some things in the last few months (and years) that were hard for me to turn down. As a soon-to-be mom of two, I’m constantly in energy management mode, and at the end of the day, my family and my own health and wellbeing must take precedence for me to give my best everywhere else. So, yes, I’ve had to decline some professional opportunities that 25-year-old me would have jumped at, and I’ve had to find ways to maintain personal boundaries in social situations despite questioning whether I’m making the right decision in that moment.
So, what if we reframe this idea of saying no? A wise teacher of mine taught me the mantra, “Saying no to others is saying yes to yourself.” Saying no isn’t bad, and it doesn’t make you less-than. It also can be freeing to actually choose what will be in your best interest if you have too much on your plate already and need to regroup. Establishing boundaries allows us to recognize that the sense of rejection that comes from saying no does not always mean you’re selfish or inconsiderate. In fact, boundaries empower us to put our best foot forward. It gives you space to be present in ways that align with your values and puts the power of how you “show up” in your hands.
As a last resolution, I recommend empathy. This one is worth renewing at the start of the year even if it’s something you already practice regularly. The world is scary and hard to live in sometimes, and the moment we forget to consider the humanity of others is the moment we really lose ourselves, too. Displaying empathy doesn’t mean you abandon your own feelings and take on everyone else’s challenges and struggles. It simply means you listen to understand, and you recognize the truth behind another’s lived experience. You don’t have to agree with someone, but you can try to understand where they’re coming from or perhaps better see how they arrived at a certain perspective. Empathy challenges us to be more open minded, which can inspire us to come up with creative solutions for healing and enacting change on systems we feel are broken.
If you’re still reading, I want to thank you for bearing with my musings on new year’s resolutions for 2026. The year is still young, and there is so much potential for us as individuals to self-reflect and decide if and how we want to disrupt the patterns and systems that are no longer serving us. As a final thought, remember that it’s in the striving to “re-solution” something that we learn and grow. I encourage you to be kind to yourself, do your best, and allow yourself to let go of whatever is holding you back. I wish you all a great year.