I was watching a video recently that really made me stop and think, and I wanted to share it with you. You know how, as the year winds down, we all feel that sudden pressure to start making lists? We rush to write down resolutions—lose ten pounds, get that promotion, finally learn that new language. We treat January 1st like a starting line for a race we’re already tired of running.
But this video by Simon Sinek suggested something different. It wasn’t about doing more or running faster. It was about pausing. Before 2026 begins, he suggests we do five simple things to build a life that actually feels right, rather than just one that looks good on paper. I thought these might help you as much as they helped me.
First, take a moment to reflect on your journey, not just your results
We’re so hard on ourselves, aren’t we? We look at our to-do lists and only see the boxes we didn’t tick. But think about who you’ve become this year. Think about the quiet strength you built when things didn’t go your way. That growth is invisible, but it’s real. Give yourself credit for the evolution, not just the trophies.
Second, reconnect with the people who matter.
Life gets so loud. It’s easy to let months slip by without calling the people who make us feel like ourselves. I know I’m guilty of this. But success feels hollow if we don’t have anyone to share it with. Send that text. Make that call. Bridge the silence. It’s not about nostalgia; it’s about grounding yourself in the relationships that nourish you.
Third, simplify.
And I don’t just mean cleaning your desk (though that helps!). I mean the mental clutter. The toxic expectations, the unnecessary commitments we say “yes” to out of guilt. We think doing more makes us important, but often it just makes us exhausted. Let’s try to clear the noise so we can actually hear what we want.
Fourth, try setting intentions instead of just goals.
This was a big shift for me. A goal is external—”I want to lose weight.” An intention is internal—”I want to feel stronger and more alive.” When you set an intention, you’re deciding who you want to be, not just what you want to get. It changes the energy from pressure to purpose.
Finally, and maybe most importantly, forgive yourself.
Leave the guilt in 2025. The projects you didn’t finish, the patience you lost, the mistakes you made—they are lessons, not life sentences. You cannot walk into a new year with lightness if you are dragging a heavy suitcase of regret behind you. Forgive yourself for being human.
So if you’re asking, “Okay… what do I do with this?” I’d keep it small:
- Pick one lesson from 2025 you don’t want to forget.
- Pick one person to reconnect with this week.
- Pick one area to simplify (your desk, your calendar, your commitments).
- Pick one intention for 2026 that feels human, not performative—something like “be steadier,” “be present,” “be healthier,” “be kinder to myself.”
- Then start now, gently. One tiny habit. One tiny step. Because future you doesn’t need pressure—future-you needs support.