Sparkly new start for 2026 or just a Big Question Mark?

Are you excited for the new year or do you find yourself worrying about the unknowns?

As a habitual forward-thinker, I am anticipating a new year of possibilities... My goal for this year is to pursue a life of true simplicity, meaning to prioritize “intentionality” and a season of quiet growth and simple joys. 

As I’ve been thinking about this new year, I’d like to:

• Continue to put Jesus above all else and to love my husband and others in a meaningful way.

• Protect my joy and peace by setting firm boundaries; maintain a calm, clear mind.

• Make conscious choices as to how I spend my time, energy, and resources. Of course, after God and my husband, pickleball comes next. LOL.

• Remove all clutter (physical, mental, and digital) from my life to create more space for dreaming and imagining. 

• Create room to say “yes” to more meaningful things, by saying “no” to non-essential commitments.

• Be present and be still; and rest and savor life‘s little treasures. I don’t know about you, but given my zealous nature, many times I fall into the trap of looking to the future and forgetting about actually being in the present and enjoying myself. I’ve always known this about myself, but this past year, I began to feel a deep sense of conviction about this trait, which led me to take it to God in prayer.

Truth be told, I’ve had what I like to call a “Hustle culture” approach (a mindset centered on constant, rapid work and high productivity) to virtually every aspect of my life. I tend to live and work with a high sense of urgency and in the most efficient manner. If I’m driving somewhere, I prefer to be in the fastest or most efficient lane possible. When I’m tending to obligations, either professional or personal, I’m always trying to think about getting through them quickly and in the most efficient and effective way possible. A few years ago, I realized that this is something that I learned from my dad, as I am just like him. However, the older I get, I don’t want to live my life running through life anymore. 

I have decided that I am ready to work with the Lord to overcome this. One of the things that I’ve already begun to work on is called the “Mirror Maneuver.” How it works is this: If I start to feel like I need to get a task done quickly, I try and do the opposite. I look at what I normally do, and perform the mirror image instead. Last week, I tried to implement this “opposite approach” in an Uber heading to the airport. I started to get a little worked up because my Uber driver was in the slow lane and moving at a snail’s pace, while the other lanes, including the carpool lane, we’re going much faster. As each car kept whizzing by, I found myself getting frustrated and motioning the driver in my head to move over. After a few minutes of fuming and stewing, I realized how silly I was being, not to mention the reminder from the stomach pain I was experiencing. I reminded myself that I had plenty of time to get to the airport and that perhaps I don’t always have to be rush, rush. Of course, I prayed that the Lord would help me to change my mindset of always having to “rush, rush,” and enjoy the ride. A little while later, I was able to begin to embrace the beautiful day, calm down and thank Him for getting me there safely. What can I say, I’m a work in in progress!  

Shortly after this ride, I started realizing that I can take my time no matter what I’m doing. I am going to make “Take my time,” as my motto for 2026 and make it my “way of living.” I’ve also started to implement this precept in my Pickleball playing. One Instagram Pickleball training reel mentioned that “The calm player wins over the chaos.” As I’ve started to “take my time” and calm my mind and body, I am able to think more strategically and place the ball more appropriately. 

If you are feeling overwhelmed or uncertain about this new year, perhaps you could consider what you can simplify today or tomorrow or think about what else you may be able to simplify. I believe that a simpler life isn’t just about removing things, but also adding what nourishes. The following article on “The psychology of Simplicity and How It Affects Us Every Day” reminded me that less is often more.” (https://share.google/3l9i0TprsNMMLPC3L)

I hope 2026 greets you with a kindness that fills your soul and a simplicity that lets you breathe deeply and live fully!