I am already sensing something really gentle about the way this new year is beginning. I don’t feel rushed to reinvent everything entirely, it feels more like a quiet nudge to be more honest with myself. My resolutions this time around feel different. They aren’t written out of pressure, but out of who I actually want to be.

First is faith. I am going to be in church on Sundays and really grow my relationship with God. Not just to check a box, but I want to actually slow down, listen, and let gratitude be the first thing that shows up in my day. I need a rhythm that keeps my heart and mind steady to achieve what I want to achieve. 

I’m also leaving some things in 2025 and not going back for them….boys are at the top of that list. This year is not about dating; it is about peace. I’ve already spent enough late nights pouring energy into people who didn’t earn it, and I’m finally going to pour that energy into where it belongs, myself.

This one’s long overdue but fomo is getting thrown out the window. The fear of missing out has cost me wayyy too much. I DO NOT need to be everywhere, in every photo, all at once. I want to trust that where I am is where I’m meant to be, even if the rest of the world seems to be somewhere “cooler.”

Wellness will be a major priority this year, and not in a punishing way. I want to eat food that makes me feel good, both inside and out. I want to move my body not because I don’t like it but because it’s strong and capable. Health should feel like joy. In school, I’m shooting for those straight A’s, but the real goal is just being proud of the effort I put in. 

Creativity shows up in how I get dressed, so fashion has to be part of this too. I want to be braver with what I wear. The pieces I usually scroll past and think “not for me” are the ones I want to try. Maybe the difference is not the clothes at all, but the confidence to wear them like they belong to me.

Boundaries are also on my list. I’ve finally learned that staying quiet when something hurts isn’t strength, it’s a disservice to myself that won’t be allowed any longer. This year I’m going to speak up, say what I feel, and stand in who I am without apologizing for it.

There are some big things coming I am excited for too, like finding my new york apartment and turning it into a place that feels like me. I can already envision the sunbeams peaking through my window, coffee mug on the counter, and that sense of pride that whispers, “you finally did it.” I want to push harder in my career life as well, to reach out, connect, and network like the future I want really depends on it. Because in a lot of ways, it does.

Above all, I’m going to love myself loudly and proudly this year. I want rest to be something I plan on purpose, not something I use as an excuse when I’m burnt out. I also want to prioritize choosing people who choose me, and let go of chasing closure from situations that’ve already given me the truth.

I seriously want to prioritize balance. Much more time being present, a lot less time being sucked into devices. I’m going to be better about responding to the people I care about, not out of obligation, but because they matter to me and I need them to feel that.

And through all of this, my mental health has to stay the most important thing. Growth isn’t neat, and it’s not supposed to be, but it is ALWAYS worth it. Lastly, if I’m really feeling brave enough, I may try dancing again, even though I’m out of practice.

This is my year of becoming. A year to finally breathe, choose patience over panic, chase purpose over people, and to move through the world like it’s my own. 

Here’s to 2026, to good faith, steady healing, and a life that feels like it actually fits.