Make 2026 Your Best Year Yet!
Before we rush ahead into 2026 with fresh goals and good intentions, there’s real value in pausing to reflect on how the past year actually felt.
For many women in midlife, energy is no longer unlimited. Between work, relationships, caregiving, health shifts, and the mental load we carry, what we say yes to matters more than ever. That’s why an end-of-year review isn’t about productivity or performance — it’s about clarity.
Before you put 2025 to bed and jump into planning for 2026, I invite you to do a simple review to understand what truly supported your energy…and what quietly drained it.
I’ve explored many end-of-year reflection processes over the years. What I’m sharing here is a simple approach inspired by work from Marie Forleo and Tim Ferriss, with my own energy-focused spin.
How to Do This Review
Carve out some intentional time — an hour is plenty. Grab:
A cup of tea or coffee
A notebook or journal
Your calendar from 2025
Your photos from the past year
This isn’t about doing it “right.” It’s about noticing patterns and listening to what your energy is trying to tell you.
Ready? Let’s begin.
Question 1: What energized you in 2025?
Look through your calendar and photos and ask yourself:
What people, events, activities, or commitments gave me energy this past year?
These are the moments that filled your cup. They might be big or surprisingly small. Work-related or personal. Planned or spontaneous.
This could include:
Time with people who make you feel seen and supported
Travel or new experiences
Projects that felt meaningful
Time outdoors, movement, or rest
Moments when you felt like yourself again
Write it all down. If it brought even a quiet sense of joy or aliveness, it belongs on the list.
Question 2: What drained you in 2025?
Now look at the other side of the equation.
What people, events, activities, or commitments consistently drained your energy?
This might include:
Meetings or obligations you dreaded
Relationships that left you feeling depleted
Work that felt misaligned or overly demanding
Overcommitting or saying yes out of habit
Time spent on things that didn’t really matter to you
If something left you feeling exhausted, resentful, or numb afterward, write it down — without judgment.
Step Back and Look for Patterns
Take a few minutes to review both lists.
Do you notice themes emerging?
Are there certain types of activities that show up repeatedly?
Are there one or two items that stand out as especially impactful — positive or negative?
Often, the answers are clearer than we expect once we slow down enough to look.
Question 3: How can you better protect your energy in 2026?
Now comes the most important question:
What goals, plans, or intentions can you set for 2026 that increase energy-supporting experiences and decrease energy-draining ones?
Ask yourself:
Who consistently energizes me — and how can I see them more often?
What activities help me feel grounded, strong, or alive at this stage of life?
Where am I overextending myself out of obligation rather than desire?
Is there something I need to do less of, or let go of entirely, next year?
This isn’t about blowing up your life. It’s about making thoughtful, compassionate adjustments.
Bring It Into Your 2026 Calendar
Pull out your 2026 calendar and look at it through an energy lens.
Based on what you noticed:
What can you intentionally add? (Trips, movement, rest, connection)
What can you reduce, delegate, or decline?
Where do you need more white space?
Often, small shifts (canceling one recurring meeting, protecting weekends, scheduling regular time outdoors) can create meaningful change.
What This Process Looked Like for Me
Looking back over 2025, a few energizers stood out clearly.
Time with family and friends was once again at the top of the list. Consistent, meaningful connection continues to be one of the most grounding and energizing parts of my life.
Close behind was being outdoors, especially hiking and kayaking. Time in nature, combined with movement, remains one of the most reliable ways I reset my energy. Adventure travel, even though it was more limited this year, still showed up as deeply nourishing and something I want to be intentional about carrying forward.
Regular weightlifting and yoga also played an important role. Staying consistent with these practices has supported my strength, mobility, and overall sense of well-being in noticeable ways.
One newer energizer surprised me: the connections I’ve been building through the coaching community I’m creating. Both online and in person, these interactions brought a sense of purpose and momentum that felt genuinely energizing.
And finally, something entirely new emerged—learning watercolor. Making space for a creative outlet and allowing myself to be a beginner again has been unexpectedly restorative.
As I look ahead to 2026, I’m intentionally bringing all of these forward. They’re not “nice to have” extras—they’re essential supports for my energy and vitality.
Your Turn
Do you have an end-of-year reflection process that works for you?
If not, I encourage you to try this one.
Awareness is the first step toward having more energy in the year ahead.
If you do this reflection, I’d love to hear:
What surprised you?
What you want more of in 2026?
What you’re ready to do less of?
Reach out and let me know!
