New year. New plans. New energy, even. But before we sprint into 2026, shall we pause? Shall we consider what 2025 taught us? Because although January loves a reset, renewal doesn’t have to mean wiping everything away, and starting all over again from scratch. Let’s take a moment, and think. What challenged us last year? What surprised us? And how did we respond when things went off-script?
Did we ask for help? Did we keep going quietly? Did we stop, regroup, and try again? And when it was hard, were we kind to ourselves?
What made us strong in 2025? Turning up on tough days? Observing boundaries? Doing one thing at a time, methodically, till everything was done, bit by bit, step by step?
Take a moment to remember the good bits. What made us laugh? Who were we with? Can we remember why we were laughing? Did we savour those moments, or let them rush past? Can we make space for more of that this year?
Choose your people wisely, learning from what has gone before. Who made us feel appreciated? Who made us feel safe, supported, cared about? Can we spend more time with them in 2026?
And the harder questions. Who drained us? Who made us doubt ourselves? Are we able to spend less time there?
Take what worked. A fresh start does not mean forgetting. What went well in 2025? What helped us cope? What supported our wellbeing and confidence? Let’s have more of that. Less of what quietly wore us down.
Let 2026 begin by building on 2025. Maybe this January is about fresh eyes landing on what we have already experienced, and having more self-compassion while we’re at it.
If we let 2025 teach us even one thing, then 2026 doesn’t start from scratch. It starts from experience.
Looking forward with The Ajuda Foundation
As we move into this new year, why not shape it meaningfully from the start? Join the Ajuda Foundation’s free webinar on 8th January: Looking after your mind, body and soul. Everyone is welcome, and it’s a chance to pause, reflect, and equip yourself with tools to make 2026 a little kinder, stronger, and more balanced. Book your free place here: Looking after your mind, body & soul Tickets, Thu 8 Jan 2026 at 10:00 | Eventbrite