Cruising into 2026
My partner Kim and I are taking a cruise at the end of 2026 to celebrate her birthday. It’s a special trip because it will be hosted by her favorite chefs from the Food Network, including Bobby Flay. We’re both so excited! I especially love that we have something joyful on the calendar, something we’re intentionally working toward in 2026. I can already picture it: bags unpacked, standing on the balcony of the ship as we set sail for the Caribbean, knowing there’s no where we have to be.
That’s when I realized something: Although I know exactly how I want the year to end, the bigger question is… how do I want the entire year to feel—from New Year’s Day all the way to the moment we set sail at the end of the year?
That’s how I landed on my word for the year: Cruising.
Not a rush. Not a grind. Not feeling like I must overhaul everything. Just cruising. Thoughtful preparation. Good systems. Fewer last-minute scrambles. Letting go of what slows me down so the year moves more smoothly. Smooth sailing.
Instead of making resolutions about what I’m going to do this year, I’m focusing on what I’m giving to myself—and what I’m intentionally letting go of—to support that feeling of cruising.
You probably won’t be surprised, but I made myself two lists:
Things I’m giving myself in 2026:
Systems that make life easier instead of more complicated.
Time buffers in my calendar so things don’t feel urgent.
A savings and investment plan that’s steady and consistent each month.
Rest without guilt and progress without pressure.
Clear priorities, which means I will also say no to things that don’t fit my theme of cruising.
Things I’m letting go of:
The belief that January is supposed to fix everything.
Overcommitting now and regretting it later.
Not striving for perfection in areas where I know that “good enough” is frankly good enough.
Feeling like I must get everything done every day. I will remind myself that although the work is never done, the day can be. And I’m going to work at being okay with that.
Start to think about your own word for the year. Here are a few examples that my clients and colleagues have been gravitating towards—and what they mean to them:
Calm → fewer surprises, more predictability.
Simplify → fewer commitments, clearer systems, less mental clutter.
Protect → your time, energy, family, and long-term health.
Make→ making decisions, and also physically making things (crafts, projects, sewing, etc.)
Steady → progress without constant course-correcting.
So, here’s your January invitation: instead of a resolution, choose a word for the year. A word that describes how you want the year to progress, not just how you want it to end. Then ask yourself: What needs to be in place for that word to feel true by December 31, 2026? And just as importantly, what do you need to let go along the way? Use that word as your guide in the new year. When you are stuck trying to make a decision, ask yourself: is this choice consistent with my theme for 2026?
For me, cruising isn’t about checking out, it’s about setting things up now so I don’t have to fight my way through the year. When the systems are strong and the noise is a little bit quieter, we can all experience the joy of smooth sailing.
This Week’s Cool Ideas & Resources
Your Life-Changing Word of the Year
Having a word to set the tone for the New Year may be more powerful than you think. Read this simple article by Nina Gruenewald to learn the 6 life changing benefits of having declared your Word of the Year.
Getting it Done in 2026
If you aren’t sure where to begin when it comes to your New Year’s goal setting, you might want to read the book Get It Done: Surprising Lessons from the Science of Motivation. In Get It Done, psychologist and behavioral scientist Ayelet Fishbach presents a new framework for self-motivated action, explaining how to identify the right goals, benefit from the help of others around you, and so much more!
Life-Changing Softness
It sounds dramatic to call a blanket’s softness “life changing” but when you’re wrapped up in your Lola Blanket, you’ll know exactly what I mean. If you didn’t get this as a holiday gift, now’s your chance—and they are on sale! Treat yourself to the XL size for the full snuggle impact. As their website says, you deserve to be comfortable in the new year.
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