Our Ins & Outs for Starting 2026 Mindfully
As we wrapped up 2025, there was a moment where we found ourselves pausing before rushing ahead. One idea that caught our attention was the achievement cake, a popular social media trend that encourages celebrating everything the year held. Each little note on the cake represents something done, learned, or simply gotten through. Some moments are big, others quiet, but all of them matter.
Seeing this made us think more intentionally about how we want to step into the year ahead. Rather than jumping straight into resolutions, we started asking gentler questions: What do we want more of in 2026? And what are we finally ready to leave behind?
This new year invites us to slow down and realign. To take better care of who we already are, and choose the things that help us feel steadier, more present, and more at home in our own lives.
So, we thought we’d share our “Ins & Outs” for 2026. This shifts the focus from what we must achieve to what we want to allow and what we no longer need to carry. We like to think of this list as a compass, not a checklist. Something that guides us, not something that measures us.
Ins for 2026
Intentional Living
We’re learning to live more intentionally. Choosing how we spend our time, energy, and attention instead of moving through the day on autopilot. When we slow down and make deliberate choices, life feels lighter, more transparent, and more in line with what really matters.
Presence Over Multitasking
We’re practicing being fully present, really noticing the moments we’re in instead of trying to do everything at once. That might mean putting our phone down at lunch, actually listening when someone talks, or slowing down on a walk just to breathe. These small moments make life feel richer, more grounded, and more connected.
Honest Conversations
We’re welcoming honest conversations: speaking clearly, kindly, and without dodging the hard stuff. It’s not about being blunt or harsh; it’s about being real and open. Honest conversations help us build trust, better understand each other, and grow together. Saying what we mean, while still caring, makes our relationships deeper and our days lighter.
Rest Without Guilt
We’re giving ourselves permission to rest without feeling like we have to earn it. Rest isn’t a reward; it’s part of how we keep going. Taking breaks, sleeping in, or even just sitting quietly doesn’t mean we’re slacking, it means we’re refuelling. When we rest, we show up with more energy, patience, and focus for the people and things that matter most.
Outs for 2026
Clinging to What No Longer Serves Us
We’re letting go of things that weigh us down: habits, routines, or relationships that no longer feel right. Holding onto them can keep us stuck. This year, we’re practising release: making space for what brings us energy, joy, and clarity. Letting go doesn’t mean losing, it means creating room for growth.
All-or-Nothing Thinking
We’re saying goodbye to the pressure of “all or nothing.” Progress doesn’t have to be extreme to matter, and growth isn’t always obvious or dramatic. Small, steady steps can lead to meaningful change. Sometimes the quiet, imperfect moves are the ones that count the most, and that’s okay.
Constant Comparison
We’re letting go of comparing ourselves to others. Everyone moves at their own pace, and that’s completely fine. Comparison can steal our focus and make us feel behind, even when we’re exactly where we need to be. We’re choosing to trust our own rhythm, celebrate our progress, and remember that growth doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s journey.
Waiting for the Perfect Time
We’re letting go of the idea that everything has to be perfectly lined up before we start. Waiting for the “right” moment often keeps us stuck, and life passes by while we hesitate. Instead, we’re leaning into small, imperfect steps. Every action, even the messy or uncertain ones, brings us closer to clarity, momentum, and the life we want to create.
As we step into 2026, here’s to a year that feels less rushed and more real. A year shaped by the choices we make intentionally, guided by what nourishes us and lets us breathe.
Happy New Year!
Give love and choose love.
T.
