2026 Isn’t About Resolutions. It’s About Alignment.”

Happy 2026.

Maybe this is the year to live a little larger and a little louder.

 (Within your means. With respect for others. No need to become “that neighbor” who owns a leaf blower and a grudge.)

Consider prioritizing experiences over stuff. Trips, meals, music, long conversations. Those age beautifully. Most “stuff” just ages… into a closet, a garage, or a storage unit you swear you’ll clean out someday.

Love more and love deeper. Tell the people closest to you that they matter. Often. Daily, if you can. Vulnerability gets a bad rap, but it’s usually the fastest route to stronger, more meaningful relationships.

Focus on becoming the best version of yourself, and surround yourself with people who stretch you. Learn from those whose heads and hearts are aligned. Stay open to different viewpoints. Growth usually comes from calm dialogue, not from “winning” arguments.

Be honest with yourself, with your friends, with your clients. Authentic living builds trust and leads to better decisions.

 Take honesty one step further: check your ethics, morals, and values. Make sure they align personally, with family, and professionally. Misalignment is exhausting. Integrity is efficient.

Meditate. Practice mindfulness. Welcome the clarity it brings. (Quieting the noise is underrated.)

Try less complaining and more course-correcting. Life, work, health, money,none of it changes just because we talk about it endlessly. Interrupt the pattern. Do something different. Cook in a new way. Go hear live music. Walk through a local market. Experiences tend to deliver longer-lasting happiness than purchases.

Practice listening deeply. Let people finish their thoughts. Ask questions after, not during. Stop interrupting. It’s wild how much more you hear when you actually listen.

Give time or treasure to causes that matter to you and the people you care about. Shared purpose strengthens bonds and perspective.

Appreciate the small moments as much as the big wins. Most of life lives in the margins.

I don’t make resolutions. I set goals.

Resolutions are meant to be broken. Goals are meant to bend, reset, and keep moving forward. You can always get back on track.

My goals for 2026:

Reduce the use of plastic wherever possible, eat on it less, drink from it less, and store in it less. Progress over perfection.

Learn to play the drums. No band. No audience. Just me. Research shows that drumming improves coordination, brain function, mood, stress levels, and overall health. Worst case? I make some noise.

Host more. My home has been under construction for two years (long story). It’s a little cluttered and rarely four-star clean—but it’s real, welcoming, and ready for people.

Here’s to more connection, more curiosity, more laughter—and a lot less plastic in 2026.

Wishing all who read this a great 2026