Happy New Year, Cozy Minds family,
I hope this holiday season offered you moments of rest, warmth, and restoration. And if that was not quite the case, then hopefully you tried your best. 🤞🏾
2026 is officially here, and while the year flew by, moments like this remind us how precious time really is. As we get older, time can feel like it moves faster, even though it remains unchanged. What does shift, however, is our awareness of it. That awareness invites us to be more intentional, not simply filling our days with routines, but creating experiences that feel meaningful and aligned with who we are becoming.
As we begin this new year, I want to offer a different perspective on goal setting. Rather than rushing to define and do everything right now, this approach invites patience, curiosity, and compassion toward ourselves and our goals as the year unfolds. It allows our intentions to take shape naturally, at a pace that supports progress and sustainability rather than pressure. Let’s begin.
We do not transform the moment the clock strikes midnight. Most of us wake up on January first living the same lives we were living the day before. The desire for change often comes from standing at the edge of a new year, uncertain of what lies ahead and wanting to feel more equipped to navigate it. While the idea of creating a new version of ourselves can feel inspiring, meaningful change is usually shaped slowly, through time and lived experience.
Remember, it is okay to enter this year exactly as you are, while still holding intentions for where you would like to go.
Take time to reflect on 2025. Notice what supported you, and what you feel needs adjusting or even letting go of. For myself, I noticed that while I expanded in many areas of my professional life, I felt more resistant and fearful in parts of my personal life. This year, I am intentionally exploring where I would like to take more risks, be more adventurous, and allow myself to enjoy life more fully, without letting “what ifs” stop me from taking steps forward.
You can do the same. Give yourself permission to reflect honestly on what you would like to shift.
We often set goals as if achieving them will automatically bring fulfillment, yet many people find that once a goal is reached, something still feels missing. This often happens when a goal is not connected to a deeper purpose. For example, wanting to lose weight may not feel motivating on its own. Exploring the reason behind it might reveal a desire for more energy, the ability to play with your children, or relief from physical discomfort.
When goals are connected to other areas of our lives, they become more meaningful. Everything is interconnected, and when we take time to understand how our goals support our overall wellbeing, we are more likely to act in ways that align with the outcomes we desire.
After all, it is winter - a season of rest and dormancy. Nature is not rushing, and neither should we. Trying to do everything at once often leads to burnout and discouragement. This is why many people feel like they’ve failed before they truly began; because their expectations were too heavy.
A more sustainable approach is to focus on one goal or intention at a time. This creates space to learn, adjust, and build confidence without overwhelm. This might look like dedicating one month to working through a single intention, allowing it to slowly become part of your routine. When it begins to feel familiar and manageable, you can gently move on to the next.
This is often referred to as habit stacking, which means we are adding a new habit onto something we already do. The purpose is to build one habit at a time, so each new habit has a stable foundation before introducing another.
Confidence is built through action and evidence. When we follow through on something meaningful to us, we begin to trust ourselves more. That trust becomes motivation, and motivation becomes momentum.
Tracking your progress can be a powerful part of this process. Whether you use an app, a notebook, a digital planner, Notion, or GoodNotes, give yourself a way to see the effort you are putting in. Progress deserves to be witnessed.
Life will inevitably bring distractions, changes, and unexpected challenges. When momentum wavers or direction feels unclear, these questions can help you reconnect with yourself and your desired outcomes for the year:
Which intention or habit deserves my focus right now, without overwhelm?
How can I take one small, meaningful step toward this goal today?
Does this action support my energy, well being, or bigger purpose?
Am I honouring my current season of life while moving forward?
What can I build on from what I’ve already started, rather than trying to do everything at once?
Think of these questions as gentle signposts, keeping you connected to your goals, your pace, and your well being as the year unfolds, inspiring small steps that add up to meaningful change.
May this year bring patience over pressure, presence over perfection, and consistent, gentle progress as you continue to show up for the life you’ve been gifted to enjoy. 🤍
With love,
Myriam
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If you’d like support to navigate 2026 with intention, or if you’d like to bring mental health workshops to your community or organization, visit our website pbyptherapy.com for more information. Reach out, and let’s explore ways to take thoughtful steps forward this year together.
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