I have always liked the idea of resolutions because I like the “clean slate” of a new year. I agree it’s an arbitrary date, and I think it’s fine when people hate or reject resolutions. This is just something I like!
I have to shout out one of the first podcasts I ever listened to, because this is where I got the idea to make a list of resolutions or intentions in the number of the calendar year. I want to say my first time was “18 for 2018″,” at the suggestion of Gretchen Rubin and Liz Craft from the “Happier” pod. Happier is a show about how to be– you guessed it– happier! It has taught me countless small ways to improve contentedness in my everyday life and it is still going strong after ten years and 567 episodes.
I have never shared my list before, but felt inclined to do so this year as it has always given me a lot of joy to brainstorm for it, create it, and track my progress.
This may seem like a bonkers idea, as the number keeps growing and are now larger than what a Bingo card can allow. Somehow, though, I find it far less stressful and nebulous than one big, ambitious resolution. It’s part prioritized to-do list, and part shoot-for-the-stars dreams, and that works for me. In 2025, I met 18 of my 25 goals. I must say, I am not beating myself up and I am celebrating those 18 wins! Let’s see how many I can reach in ‘26.
In no particular order:
- Journal weekly (52x)
- Meet monthly Apple watch goals
- Read 26 books
- Take a 40th birthday trip
- Make new baby/kid pic books on Shutterfly (1 per kid)
- Publish my postpartum manual
- Do 1 book signing event
- Have 1 speaking engagement
- Make back book investment
- Reach audience of 2k on one social platform
- Write 50 articles
- Spend at least 1 hr daily on business/writing
- Create 1 new original recipe
- Write 26 positive reviews
- Get paid to write
- Monthly clean-out (pantry, play room, etc)
- Make 13 different soups
- Do 1 pull-up unassisted
- Set up my new 401k
- Post more singing videos
- Drink 64+ oz water/day
- Get a PCP
- Go on 12 dates (I feel like I should clarify- this is with my husband)
- Submit 1 article to a magazine/publication
- Create a digital product
- Make a 2027 calendar
There are a certain number of these things that I know will happen for sure, and others that I am not very confident about. You might be wondering how I could possibly want to track all of these numbers. Fair point, but I absolutely will because I always do it. I always use a real-life book planner and I write the listed numbers out on the extra pages in the back. I track things through the year and looking at my lists keeps me motivated to meet my goals. I will probably draw out a Bingo card as well because it’s fun to see what I can cross off first (combining 7 & 8 to fit on 25 squares).
I would absolutely love to hear what your resolutions/intentions for 2026 are, and I’d be happy to answer any questions about mine!
xo,
Amy
