Reflections, Not Resolutions

Happy New Year everyone,

As we step into a new year, I’ve found myself reflecting a little on the year just gone and on what I want to carry forward — and perhaps begin — in the year ahead. I wanted to share a few thoughts with you, in case any of it resonates.

This is a slightly longer reflection than usual — something I wanted to take my time with — so feel free to read it in a quiet moment.

Last year felt like something of a turning point for me. I turned 50 (which many of you already know) and it genuinely felt like a midpoint — a moment to pause and take stock. I noticed changes in my body, my energy and my capacity. Things I may once have brushed off now have more of an impact and I’ve become much more aware that I need to take better care of myself simply to feel normal.

One of the biggest shifts for me came towards the end of October, when I decided to take a short break from alcohol — just six weeks — as a kind of reset. I had read that, particularly for perimenopausal women, the effects of alcohol can sometimes mimic or amplify menopausal symptoms and I was curious to see how true that might be for me.

The effects were immediate and, honestly, pretty profound. My sleep improved almost straight away. I stopped waking in the night and I felt clearer, steadier, and more like myself. When the six weeks were up, I realised I didn’t actually want to go back. I’m now in week ten and at this moment in time, it just feels really good to keep going.

I’m not saying “forever” — nothing needs to be that absolute — but right now I feel better without it. It feels like I’ve removed something that my body no longer processes easily and in doing so, I’ve made life a little easier for myself. That’s probably the biggest thing I’m carrying forward from 2025 into this year.

Looking ahead to 2026, the other thing I want to consciously bring into my life is a willingness to step a little outside my comfort zone.

I’ve noticed how easy it is, especially as life becomes more settled and comfortable, to stay safe, familiar and predictable. There’s nothing wrong with that — comfort is lovely — but I also know that every time I’ve done something that felt slightly uncomfortable or a bit scary, I’ve felt better for it afterwards. Even when things didn’t go perfectly, the act of trying made me feel more alive.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot through the lens of yoga and the nervous system. Growth doesn’t come from comfort alone — it comes from a little stress, followed by rest. We challenge the body, then we release. We apply effort, then we soften. Without that balance, things stagnate. Too much comfort leaves us dull and restless; too much stress leaves us depleted. The art is in moving between the two.

So this year, I want my default response to opportunities — and even ideas — to be: try it. Try the thing that feels a bit uncomfortable. Say yes more often. Play a little bigger. If it doesn’t work out, that’s okay too. You tried.

I came across a beautiful book over Christmas called Sacred Stillness, compiled by Sister Stan and Síle Wall from The Sanctuary (link below). It’s a collection of short meditations that I’ve been reading and sitting with each day and it’s really supported me in this. Before acting, deciding or stepping into something new, I’m trying to pause first — to get still, to listen inwardly and to trust what feels right.

So rather than a long list of New Year’s resolutions, this year feels more like a mindset shift for me. A reminder that good enough is enough. That now might be the time for the things I’ve previously avoided in the name of playing it safe. That it’s okay not to be brilliant — who really is? — and that life gets smaller if we shrink away from it.

I don’t know if any of this will resonate with you but I wanted to put it out there anyway. I’d genuinely love to hear what this year is stirring for you too. Is there something you’re carrying forward? Something you’re letting go of? Something you’re quietly beginning?

Wishing you a steady, curious and nourishing start to 2026.