A Reflective Goodbye and a Hopeful Hello to 2026

Ushering in a New Year is often time for reflection and celebration.  For those that have sustained great losses in 2025, the hope of a New Year looms large.  

Some of us lost people we loved perhaps in passing or due to a fragile relationship that saw a rupture that has not resolved.  Some sustained financial worries and losses with investments or income with the Government shutdown that many are still recovering from.

Yet others found joy, perhaps in a new relationship, the birth of a child, a new job or business or celebrated a milestone birthday with family and friends. 

Our lives meander through seasons, and some are filled with great joy while others, great sorrow.   One thing we know is that we can choose to survive the difficult circumstances, and/or we can choose to reflect and find the lessons inherent in the difficult journeys. 

Pausing the busyness and taking time to reflect also allows us to see our resilience - what we have survived, what we have overcome- and gives us opportunity to further reflect on what we hope for. 

As you contemplate your life; your work, partner, relationships, family and your health, consider what you want to be different as you ring in the New Year.  Rather than make resolutions that ultimately fail through lack of plans, support and understanding of what keeps you in your current habits, consider a different approach this year.

Begin to visualize what you want more of... less of... and none of in the months to come.  Consider what habits- including your thought habits that have been keeping you stuck.  

Write those visions down.  Consider why what you want matters, and the consequences of continuing on in the same old ways. 

Here's some ideas to reflect, celebrate and create a plan to fulfill your hopes and desires in 2026.

Take time to pause and reflect on the year. Do some journaling and record both the challenges you faced this past year, what you did to cope and find resilience to get through them. Consider how you grew through those challenges. Ponder what you would do the same or different if you faced similar challenges next year.

Take time to celebrate. Regardless of your present circumstances, there is always a reason to be grateful. Make time to celebrate both the past year, and the reasons to be hopeful for the next.  Find small ways to celebrate that bring you joy. 

Take time to consider each area of your life.  Identify what is going well.   Perhaps you have a job or business that you really love.  Maybe you are blessed to have a healthy, safe and satisfying relationship.  What is going well in your life?  Focus on what is going well so you can build on those things and those relationships into the new year. 

Make a List of your dissatisfactions.  Consider what areas of your life you are not happy with, or even greatly dissatisfied.  Write them down.  Whether you are realizing you may be in an unsafe relationship, you are faced with a health challenge or chronic pain, be specific in writing down  what is not going well and what you want to be different.

Now Create a Plan.  Much like an architect drafting blueprints to design a new building, you are the architect of your life.  Make a plan with specific action steps that you will take to strengthen what is going well, and to change or pivot the areas that you are dissatisfied with.   Be sure to include what steps you will take that will likely move the needle in the direction you want to go.  Include who your support system will be as you move into a new space in the areas that you wish to change.

Reflect. Celebrate. Contemplate. Explore the Possibilities.   Check your thoughts to see if you are stuck in looping thoughts or stories that keep you ( or have kept you ) stuck.  Allow yourself to imagine the possibilities so you don't start another new year with resolutions that don't stick, or with hopes that get quickly dashed by the old stories you perpetuate by your own thoughts. 

When the clock ticks January 1, you have the gift of a tabula rasa... a clean slate.  Imagine living with more hope, more joy and better health. Imagine not being stuck in all your old stories, or living from the negative voices that fill your mind...  Once you create your action plan consider who and what you will need to execute your plan consistently. 

Might you need to hire a personal trainer, invest time and money toward healing from trauma or grief and work with a professional counselor or therapist... consider what you will be willing to invest in order to move forward to pursue more peace, joy and hope. 

Happy New Year, and New Opportunities, from the Live Well Kitsap Team!