Time truly flies. Welcome to 2026!
A couple of wise women (you may know them from Happy Hour with Ruth and Roxy) recently posed a thought-provoking challenge:
“In 2026, what will you carry forward, and what will you leave behind from 2025?”
I love this idea. The notion of carrying forward or leaving behind resonates with me far more than traditional New Year’s resolutions. Honestly, my success rate with resolutions has been mixed over the years. My one shining achievement? Quitting smoking on January 1, 1991, at midnight, and I’ve kept that promise ever since.
So instead of resolutions, here’s what I’ll be carrying forward, and what I’m intentionally leaving behind,as we step into 2026.
What I’m Carrying Forward in 2026
(in no particular order: I couldn’t rank them if I tried!)
- Gratitude for Joe Coehlo, my amazing life partner. Every single day I’m thankful for our relationship and the life we share.
- Working with Coach Becky to get physically stronger. So far, so good!
- Monthly virtual chats with friends, which always boost my mood and satisfy my need for connection.
- Spending time with people who make life interesting: the neighborhood ladies at Friday morning coffee, Coach Becky, the grands (Caleb, Charlotte, and Oliver), and time with my daughter Megan and her husband Jeremy.
- Political engagement and resistance: staying active and informed in ways that align with my values: supporting Tim Walz’s re-election as Minnesota’s governor, attending protests, having civil conversations that promote understanding (not necessarily agreement), and remembering to always VOTE.
- Working the polls again, which continues to be a meaningful experience.
What I’m Leaving Behind in 2025
- Toxicity in all its forms: whether that means unhealthy foods, habits, or people who bring negativity into my life.
- The need for perfection (in myself or others). I’m learning that striving for perfection is just another form of toxicity.
- The twenty-something pounds I lost in the final twelve weeks of 2025 - gone, and staying gone!
- The restrictive mindset around food. It’s not about eliminating foods; it’s about adjusting portions and maintaining balance.
- The “more is better” mentality. Sometimes just enough truly is enough.
- My naïve hope that the political scene will magically improve before the 2026 midterms. Realism and resilience will serve me better.
Your Turn
So now I’ll pass Ruth and Roxy’s question on to you:
💭 What will you carry forward into 2026?
💭 What will you leave behind in 2025?
Here’s to a year ahead filled with gratitude, growth, laughter, and just enough of everything we truly need.
