Make It a Point to Enjoy Your Life More

When a new year rolls around, it naturally puts many of us into reflection mode.

We start thinking about what we want to change, what we want to work toward, and how we want this year to feel. Some people set resolutions. Some focus on goals. Some choose a word to keep front and center as a quiet guide for the months ahead.

However you approach a new year — and whatever you hope this one brings — today, I thought I’d offer a simple suggestion to make your 2026 even better:

Make it a point to enjoy your life more.

Life is meant to be enjoyed. And yet, so many of us treat enjoyment like something that must be earned — something we’re allowed only after everything else is finished, handled, and checked off the list.

We tell ourselves we’ll relax later.

We’ll have fun once things calm down.

We’ll enjoy ourselves when there’s more time.

But most people don’t look back on life thinking, “I wish I didn’t have so much fun!”

More often, it’s thoughts like: Why did I take things so seriously? Why did I get caught up in dramas that didn’t really matter? Why didn’t I take more time to enjoy myself and the people I care about most?

Enjoyment is our birthright. It’s not a reward for productivity, and it doesn’t need to be postponed for a future vacation or a far-off chapter of life. You deserve to enjoy life’s simple pleasures right now.

In my book, Even Better: Easier Ways to a Happier Life, a favorite reader section is titled Take a Daily Moment of Joy. Take time each day (even ten minutes will do!) to kick back and enjoy yourself. Read a feel-good book. Laugh over lunch with a friend. Go for a walk without tracking it. Play with your kids or pets until you lose track of time.

Laugh more, stay present, and let the little things go.

This year will go by quickly, so try to make it a point to enjoy yourself as much as possible along the way.

Wishing you a wonderful start to 2026 and a year filled with laughter, joy, and ease!

With love,

Emily