Ease Into 2026 With These 2 Unconventional Methods
- Laura Hope Goldstone
- 2 days ago
- 14 min read
Happy New Year! May this year bring you the right balance of adventure and calm, opportunity and rest, and tension and peace.
Welcome the New Year with Open Arms
It's a new year, which means you're either making resolutions or telling everyone they shouldn't be making resolutions. I say you should do what makes you happy and gets you where you need to go. If you enjoy making a list of resolutions more than you actually like following through and achieving those goals, maybe that's okay, because making a list is still organizing your thoughts, converting your dreams into something concrete, and allowing you to process your ideas and feelings. Or if you have a track record of setting resolutions that just don't seem to stick, maybe you need to think more broadly. It's too difficult to know on January 1 exactly what's going to serve you appropriately for the entire year, but you could still take some time to reflect and set some intentions.
January is also a time when we put a lot of pressure on ourselves. The major holiday season is over, so we think that means we can't rest anymore. We tell ourselves we have to show up to work rejuvenated, we have to hit the ground running with insurmountable motivation, and we have to reinvent ourselves into someone new and trendy and exciting. Yeesh. Let me be the one to tell you: You don't need to add all that pressure onto yourself. Other people can follow whatever traditions and rituals they want. You can choose to do something different this year, if it makes the most sense for you.
Zooming out and thinking about the undue pressure we pile onto our plates in January, while also reflecting on the juxtaposition of having so much I want to achieve but also just wanting to take time to rest, inspired me to craft this variation of a resolution for you. I thought to myself: Wouldn't it be nice to welcome in the new year with open arms, like embracing an old friend, rather than venturing off into some scary, unknown frontier? You can still try new things and reach new heights without so much pressure or fear. If that's what you need this year, as I do, I hope you'll try these two unconventional methods to feel aligned and inspired in more meaningful ways. Let's look at something you can do for the year ahead, and then we'll break it down by looking specifically at January, diving into each individual week.
The Year Ahead: What Will 2026 Bring?
Full disclosure: There's no way to know what the new year will bring. We can all make our predictions and debate in the comments on random people's LinkedIn posts, but there's truthfully no way to know what the future holds. However, that doesn't mean you're helpless. That doesn't mean you have to let go of any feelings of control you wanted to have over your fate. Resolutions may be too strict, and giving up may be too lax, so let's find a middle ground that works for you. I've discovered one that I think might be the antidote: Choosing an intention or theme.
If you read my other blog posts and content, you know I hang my hat on intentionality. I believe the more intentionality we embody, the better communicators and leaders we'll be, the more fulfilled and aligned we'll feel, and the more authentic and confident we'll behave. At its most general, intentionality can refer to simply knowing your purpose and acting in a deliberate way (I say "simply" because this is a simple concept, though it is not very easy for most people to act on!). This year, instead of berating yourself in December for not hitting arbitrary goals you set twelve months prior, choose an intention for yourself--something that you can carry with you throughout the year as your priorities shift and experiences take you to new places. You could also choose a theme for your year--a concept that you will return to when you need to reflect, make decisions, or choose a path forward.
Last year, I chose the theme of Movement. The meaning I assigned to this word involved moving away from things that didn't serve me anymore, moving toward opportunities that aligned with my goals, moving through my day in a way that aligned with my values, moving my body and my mind more deeply and frequently, reflecting on when a pattern of movement taught me a lesson I could use to make better decisions, and understanding when my situation was moving me toward a much-needed place of rest. I set this theme in January 2025, and somehow, in December, the word was still popping up in my mind. Because it was one word, one solid concept, specific enough to directly relate to my life but broad enough that I could apply it in many ways, it stuck.
Because it was one word, one solid concept, specific enough to directly relate to my life but broad enough that I could apply it in many ways, it stuck.
When I found myself at a crossroads, I would wonder how I could move toward the good and move away from the toxic. When I needed to add a little discipline to my routine, I did it in such a way that I was able to embed the movement of my mind and body into my schedule. I also looked at movement as progress I could track. I like experiencing visible, concrete success, which isn't always possible when you're building habits in subtle ways, so I created systems or processes that allowed me to make the abstract more concrete. I tracked my movement toward success with calendars: I'd print out each month on a piece of paper and log my daily successes (yes, with pen!) in each square. I logged my movement toward success in a notebook where I'd jot down bullet points noting milestones, testimonials, and impact. I captured my movement toward growth by keeping a notebook of challenges and lessons, a digital note of questions and issues, and a nightly journal entry calling out the things I'm grateful for and what I'm working on.
This worked for me. I deepened my yoga practice and even started working toward a 200-hr YTT certification. I gained accountability on my writing practice, developed a process for querying agents, and nurtured a tight-knit community of writers and editors. I said no to some opportunities I would have jumped at previously, and I let go of situations that would have bothered me for weeks on end. I prioritized rest and self-care, and I moved into the right slots on my hierarchy based on my values and beliefs. I spoke at my first major conference. I finished the draft of my leadership book. I wrote another fiction manuscript (almost done). I submitted more articles and got published in several new publications. I was always moving toward something or away from something else. I kept my mantra in my mind and let it guide my decision-making throughout the year. It wasn't as strict as a resolution but it was just as impactful--maybe more. This is what I hope for you.
Method One: Pick a Theme
I encourage you to pick a theme for 2026. What one word or idea do you want to guide your mindset, actions, and impact this year?
Here's my story, if you're interested. If not, skip down to "Your Turn" and dive right in.
For 2026, I considered a handful of words that all mean something to me and will undoubtedly show up in various ways throughout the year. Honestly, I keep oscillating among three final contenders.
Intentionality. See above, ha! Intentionality is at the heart of everything I do. My book is about intentionality, most of my content is about intentionality, and a lot of my leadership and communication principles center around intentionality. It is a way of living, a reflection of deeply rooted values. We need to pause and assess each situation and understand how we can intentionally choose the most appropriate path forward. Everything should be deliberate. Everything should have a purpose and should tie back into our personal purpose. When we are intentional, we are strategic. We are mindful. We are thoughtful. Taking the time to consider inputs and outcomes before choosing how to act enables us to feel more confident in our decision. We can also then provide more context to those around us since we have worked through the process ourselves internally. We internalize before we externalize so we can bring intentionality to our entire realm of thoughts and behaviors and everything in between.
Alignment. I am a big believer in aligning my values, beliefs, thoughts, emotions, and actions. Your milestones need to be aligned to your goals in order to keep you on the right track. Your reactions need to be aligned to your intentions in order to conduct yourself sincerely and transparently. Your words need to be aligned to your actions to build trust and prove that you follow through and aren't just another political player. What do you want to align to? What is out of alignment right now and what are the impacts of this misalignment? How can you better align xyz to yield better results? Alignment brings people, thoughts, language, behavior, values, context, and outcomes together. It's not always going to be neat, but the attempt can still teach you volumes.
Clarity. This is a focus I know I need right now. I excel at finding clarity in complexity at work, but clarity can be a guiding light in every corner of our journey. Is my communication clear? Is my behavior clear? Do I clearly understand my motivations? What do I need someone else to clarify before I can act? How much clarity is enough before we can move on? Clarity can show up in many ways and is always important and constructive, making it versatile and widely applicable.
How can I choose among these three core principles? They are not fads. They are all values that drive me, beliefs that make me who I am. If I choose one, the other two will not cease to exist. All three will continue to guide me regardless of my goal or situation. Should I pick the one I feel most comfortable with? Or maybe I should pick something a little different from my modus operandi so I might unlock doors to new possibilities or try refreshing avenues once in a while. Which one do I need more of right now?
Or is there some other idea I haven't yet considered that could represent the intersection of all three? Something concrete, with clear imagery, that I can keep coming back to? Something that's obvious and memorable while also being widely applicable? Something...like a compass?
Your Turn! Choose Your Theme for 2026.
Start with refection:
What do YOU need more of right now?
What do you need to get rid of, to say no to, to peel the layers off of and reveal a guiding core?
What principle do you want to drive your actions in 2026?
What values do you want to be clear in all of your thoughts and actions?
What kind of mindset do you want to embody this year?
What habits do you want to build?
What kind of a person do you want to be?
Writing out your thoughts about these questions will help you understand your current situation as well as your aspirations and goals and will hopefully ignite a spark that will lead you naturally toward a theme for 2026.
Method Two: Break it Down
Maybe one theme or intention for the year still doesn't appeal to you. Maybe you're still not content with the commitment of choosing one concept in January and relying on its longevity for the next twelve months. That's okay. If that's you, try breaking it down month by month--or even week by week.
If you don't want to commit to one concept applying to an entire year, then maybe you're also in need of a little grace. If so, you can pick a theme for each month rather than the whole year. In fact, you don't have to pick all twelve themes right away; you can pick each theme just a few weeks (or even days!) prior to each month. How's that for flexibility?
January: A Month of Ease
Let's make January about easing into the new year. We don't have to start a new year with an insatiable verve for goal-hitting; we can ease into it in a way that is meaningful for us.
Consider the concept of wintering. Wintering examines the winter season as a time for rest and reflection rather than aggressive rejuvenation and reinvention. Whereas January 1 is often seen as a hard deadline for launching new goals or becoming a new version of yourself, wintering recognizes that sometimes you need to slow down, repair what's lacking, and prepare for the future in a more humane way.
Here are some tips for easing into January via the Wintering concept:
Embrace the quiet. Let the world around you keep moving while you slow down. Whether you want to be a better leader, a clearer communicator, a stronger marketer, a more prolific writer, or a more complete person, slowing down and showing yourself a few moments of self-care is invaluable to any human being. Embrace it in a way that is meaningful for you.
Look within. Reflect on your life and your values, process your emotions and thoughts, and consider what actions you could take that might set you up for success in a way that feels good to you.
Pause when you need to pause. You don't have to stay in constant motion. In fact, resting is necessary for growth. Rest now so you can move the way you need to later.
Try nesting. Cultivate an environment that serves you well, whether that is something cozy and safe, something that helps you reach your goals, or something that helps you face challenges more objectively.
Find your own pace. Growth won't stop, even (especially) during difficult times, but it can slow down and wait for you to catch up. Let it.
Don't give up; your strength and resilience will carry you through.
You don't have to slam your foot on the gas pedal on January 1 if you're not ready for it. This time will be better spent doing a bit of reflection and rejuvenation so you can set yourself up for a solid year ahead.
Weekly Segments
Next, if you'd like to break it down further, I've separated out the weeks of January into four themed segments: Reflect - Choose - Organize - Solidify.
Week 1: January 4-10, 2026: Reflect
Start with the questions for reflection in the Method One section above:
What do YOU need more of right now?
What do you need to get rid of, to say no to, to peel the layers off of and reveal a guiding core?
What principle do you want to drive your actions in 2026?
What values do you want to be clear in all of your thoughts and actions?
What kind of mindset do you want to embody this year?
What habits do you want to build?
What kind of a person do you want to be?
You can add a few more general questions as well:
What makes you happy? How can you do more of that?
What saps your energy? How can you do less of that?
How do you want to approach each day? With what mindset?
How do you want to feel at the end of each day?
What do you want to be grateful for, once it's all said and done?
If you're looking for more work-related questions, here you go:
What kind of a communicator do I want to be? Name 3 adjectives or outcomes.
What kind of a leader do I want to be? Name 3 adjectives or outcomes.
How do I want to approach my work?
How am I doing right now? What am I missing?
What isn't working? Can I cut or change any of these things?
What am I not making space for that would serve me? How can I reorganize my day to make time for the things that would make me a better communicator or leader?
And here's a deeper dive still:
Imagine you go on LinkedIn and see someone you admire commenting on someone else's post. They're giving the poster compliments. You feel jealous. You wish someone you admire would say those things about you. What are those compliments that you want someone to say about you? What actions would warrant those compliments? This activity will help you realize how you want to be perceived based on your output, so you can then work backward and do the things that will get you there.
Imagine you hear of someone achieving some great accomplishment. You're happy for them of course, but you also hear your inner conscious telling you that you could do that, or that you should've done it first. What are the things you wish you had done? What are the things you want to do that you're simply not doing? Identifying these gaps will teach you what you care about and can help you create an action plan to bring you closer to success.
Week 2: January 11-17, 2026: Choose
Ready to set your intention or theme? At this step, we review our notes, refine our ideas, and name our intention or theme! The start-of-the-year pressure has likely worn off by now, and you can begin to choose your way forward with greater clarity and authenticity.
Review your notes from week one. Identify trends. Draw conclusions. Notice which themes are emerging naturally. Name 3-5 concepts that represent the person you want to be, the values you want to represent, and the goals you want to achieve. Step away from your list for some time so you can reset your mind. Then come back to it with fresh eyes and whittle it down to 1 or 2. Step away again, then choose the one that feels meaningful to you.
Your intention or theme should be:
Concrete enough that you know what it looks like. Make it clear and tangible.
Broad enough that it can apply to many experiences. Don't box yourself in.
Memorable enough that you won't forget it. Keep it short and simple.
Meaningful to you, personally. Make it matter.
Week 3: January 18-24, 2026: Organize
This is the point in the process where you might begin to feel inspired. You may start to see your word come into focus as your year materializes before your very eyes.
Here are some ideas for organizing around your theme:
Consider a recent experience where this theme might have served you. Replay the situation in your mind, except this time, inject the theme into your mindset and respond differently. What better outcome might have been achieved? Visualize this better outcome happening. Performing positive imaging like this will help you feel a positive connection to your theme and will inspire you to return to it more frequently.
Make it visible. Put a sticky note near your work desk with your word written on it in bold letters. Remove other distractions.
What contradicts or conflicts with your theme? How can you cut these things out?
How can you create an environment where your theme can come to life? How can you make it easy for yourself?
What are 1-2 new projects you can undertake this year that align with your intention for the year? How can you space out these projects so each gets enough attention from you without being overwhelming?
What communities can you join? What blogs or newsletters can you follow or subscribe to (Answer: Storyhaven!)? What books or articles can you read about the topic? What role models are already embodying your theme and could teach you something? What resources might help you? Gather some inspiration and see if anything ignites a flame for you.
Week 4: January 25-31, 2026: Solidify
Now, slowly and with awareness, create a plan for making that intention or theme a reality. This is where you make it concrete. The more tangible your theme is, the more readily you will be able to apply it. The more obviously it can be incorporated into your life, the more likely you will be to stick with it.
Try some of these activities:
Create an action plan. Name one thing you want to achieve per month. How can your theme or intention help you get there?
Write out your interpretation of your theme. Just like I assigned meaning to my word "Movement" last year, assign meaning to your word. How might it be applied? Write out a few scenarios to help yourself understand how it will work.
Test it out in small ways. In your next work call, see if you can find a way to incorporate your theme into your words or actions. When you start a new project, see if you can approach your work with this new intention in mind.
Log your successes and your challenges. Keep a notebook (physical or digital) where you can spill your thoughts and experiences onto the page without judgment. What's working? What's not? What do you want to do more of? What opportunities passed you by that you want to try to seize next time? How can you continue to build on your success? Reflecting on your progress will help you feel tied to your goals and will prove that the little things really do add up.
Following the Reflect - Choose - Organize - Solidify framework, one week at a time, will help you make the most of January and ease into 2026 in a way that is meaningful for you. You will emerge with a clear intention or theme that will help you navigate the new year in a way that aligns with your values, goals, and experiences.
You Can Take it With You
As a gift, I've put together a free download of January's overview for you! Click the red button below to download the one-page PDF for free--no forms required.
Please keep me posted on your progress! And if you like this idea, I can post a different theme or calendar for each month of 2026 to help you better explore your year in an intentional way. It is part of MY intention, after all ;)