Your life doesn’t need a full overhaul but the entering into the new year is a chance to check in on the path you are on and see if you want to shift it at all. A lot of people don’t like New Year’s resolutions because they don’t stick to them. These ideas are pretty anti-resolution energy and way more fun to hold onto for the whole year. Pick which ones sound exciting for you and try them out.

Word of the year

Pick a power word that embodies your vibe for the year—like “Momentum,” “Glow,” “Play,” or “Epic.” This theme word serves as your guiding light, helping you decide where to spend your time, energy, and resources. Whether it’s “Thrive,” “Present,” “Grow,” or something else entirely, your word becomes your gut check for every decision you make. Let it guide your choices, your priorities, and the direction of your year. Write it on your mirror. Say it when you wake up. Live it loudly.

If you want any inspiration, you can search word of the year on PInterest, other socials or Google to find hundreds of word ideas.

Write Your Own Rules

Give yourself a set of guidelines for the upcoming year. This list doesn’t have to be comprehensive and the rules can be flexible as the year goes on. They also don’t have to be serious and you can make them fun. See below for my draft of 2026 Brigid Rules –

• Read unfinished books
• Slow it down
• Play with recipes
• Be less stressed
• Trust my gut
• Learn and grow
• Be involved + connect
• Restaurants for celebrating
• Play outside
• Intentional spending
• Follow my creativity

Identity + Values Alignment

What is the identity that you claim for yourself? Are your actions in alignment with that identity or is there a disconnect? Are you holding onto old identities that aren’t serving you anymore? Is who you have been different than who you want to be? 

For the new year, think about the identity that you want to embody and use it as a North Star to guide you to become that person. 

Values are similar to identity but more like life themes that capture the core of who you are. See below for inspiration. Pick 3-5 that stick out to you. Use them as a way to gauge how aligned your actions and energy are with your values. 

If you identify as a fit person but never move your body, something is off. If you say you value family but work really comes first then maybe it’s time to make some changes.

You will love your life more when you are living in alignment.

Make a vision/dream board

You can do this physically or digitally and can take it in a few different directions. It can include literal goals you want to achieve or habits and behaviors you want to include in your routine. It can be vague or directional. 

If you want to do this with friends, look for local vision board events in your city on Eventbrite or Facebook. I found a few in the Tampa area that I might attend if anyone is interested in joining!

I started a digital version on Canva and this is what I have so far:

Start a jar or journal

Find an empty jar and fill it throughout the year with fun trinkets or memories from the year. You can put in random items or write down things on pieces of paper to add in the year. If you do a journal, it could be structured or unstructured. I have seen the idea of a junk journal and think it will be fun to do one for 2026.

26 in 26 or 100 list

Write down 26 things you would like to do in 2026. They can range from small one time accomplishments to larger activities like “go to the beach 12 times.” I did one in 2025 and accomplished about half of them so some I will let go and some I’ll carry into 2026.

If you want to play even bigger, one of my favorite Vibrant Badass exercises is to make a fun 100 list. This one can be a little wilder and more delusional. Dream really big, put the ideas out into the universe, and see what happens. You could either intentionally pursue the ideas or write the list, put it away, then check how many happened at the end of the year.

Big Ass Calendar method

This year I got the 3’ x 4’ Big Ass Calendar. The company talks about a specific method to plan and optimize your year that includes 3 parts. 

(1) Choose a misogi. This is a big year defining goal to work towards. 

(2) Plan 6 mini adventures. Every other month do something you wouldn’t normally do. Here is a list of 99 ideas for mini adventures.

(3) Choose a habit to pursue each quarter to do 4 within the year. Find a way to track it in your calendar to monitor your progress.

For more information, check our the Big Ass Calendar website.

Start a quest

Pick a topic of interest and pursue it. It can be anything you want like food, hobby, or passion related. Some ideas include find the best pepperoni pizza in your town, try as many Instant Pot recipes as you can, pick a China type and go thrifting to find pieces of a set, go to all the museums within a 10 mile radius, or go to a concert at every venue in your area.

Let me know which of these methods you try! I would love to cheer you on and check in throughout the year.

Let’s have some fun in 2026!