Out with the old, in with the new : a short guide to preparing for 2026

The end of the year always used to make me anxious. I never felt like I completed enough or harshly critiqued how I chose to spend my time over the last 12 months. Recently (meaning as of last year), I have a less harsh outlook on the year ending. I see rather as a chance to transition instead of a harsh critique of my accomplishments. There is no deadline to complete every single thing on earth in 12 months. That deadline is self-manufactured and only endorsed by our time and age obsessed society.

With my new understanding of the new year comes a new way of approaching it. Taking it lightly but also using it to reflect on the year: like a child looking at a painting she has made. Not hating it, not even necessarily loving it, but just happy with what I have created.

The first tip is simple.

1. Reflect on 2025

Take some time to sit and properly look at your 2025 digital archives. This should include both work and personal accomplishments. Create your own set of WWW’s and EBI’s. Treat yourself like a student of life who is forever in a state of learning and discovering. Identify what went well with that one work project and how could it have been even better? 

Be kind to yourself during your reflection session. It is a reflection session, not a judgement session. Also, be mindful to not deem productivity as a measure of success. Productivity is not the barometer of excellence. Instead reward yourself

for the simple act of trying - nothing is expected to be perfect. 

2. Identify what you want from 2026

Now based on your reflection session, make a list of your priorities in the new year. You can keep track of these goals by creating a vision board, while a traditionally physical activity, vision board making is just as fun digitally. I have previously used pinterest to collate images and then printed those specific images out to create my physical vision board.

The aim is to have a clear enough vision before the new year begin. Also, acknowledge that this vision does not have to be perfect, prioritise being able to strongly identify what you want in 2026.

3. Plot how to reach your goals

After identifying what you want from 2026, it is now just easier to envision and plot what you want. After categorising your 2026, organise your goals by priority. Identify the actionable points needed to ‘become a full-time content creator’ or to ‘host an exhibition’. 

To make the goals easier to manage, spread your goals across each quarter of the year: Jan to March, April to June, July to September, and October to December. This will allow you to feel less worn by using each quarter to focus on 1 - 3 goals at a time.

4. Create a timeline

Set goals for each quarter of the year to make them easier to manage: Jan to March, April to June, July to September, and October to December. This will allow you to feel less drained by using each quarter to focus on 1 - 3 goals at a time.

5. Take it easy

Be mindful to not become goal-obsessed as you plan your 2026. This guide is collated advise on an alternative way of planning your year but remember, you are not a project, you are a person. Don’t engage with these goals (nor yourself) in a rigid manner, see the goals you want to reach as new levels in for you to reach and overcome. Make planning for 2026 feel like building a perfect wardrobe for a new season. Make it fun.

The most important thing to remember is that your year is just that - your own. Let go of everything you don't need and embrace everything you want in 2026.