how to reset your life for 2026 (a realistic guide that actually works)

If you’re feeling that pull toward a fresh start for 2026: the need to do an entire life rebrand, scrolling pinterest for hours, you know the drill, you are not alone! This is truly one of my favourtie times of the year.

I also get that sometimes we look back on the year behind and feel frustrated and let down by the fact that everyone else seemed to accomplish *so much*, and yet our goals and dreams fell apart by February.

This isn’t about extreme routines, buying a new planner or becoming a totally different person overnight. This is about creating a reset that actually sticks, supports your real life and helps you slowly become the person you want to be. I want to encourage you to lean into working towards becoming 1% each day, rather than expecting perfection right from the start.

If you’re Type B, ADHD, a mom, or just tired of traditional productivity advice that makes you feel like you’re failing, you are going to love it around here. Let’s dive into how we can reset for 2026 in a way that feels attainable for us!

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start with reflection (not goal setting)

Before we talk about 2026 goals, habits, or routines, we have to start with reflection.

So many of us skip this step. We jump straight into planning on pinterest, creating a new vision board, dreaming of our new habits. But we skip actually looking at what really happened this year.

And when we don’t reflect honestly, we end up setting goals for an idealized version of ourselves — not the person we’re actually showing up as day to day.

Reflection isn’t about guilt or shame.
It’s about clarity.

When you reflect honestly, you can:

• see what actually worked
• notice what drained you
• understand why certain habits didn’t stick
• get yourself out of the fantasy mindset (you know, the one that makes you feel like you are doing better than you actually are)

the 3 reflection questions I’m using

If you are still in holiday mode and not quite ready for a full in-depth reflection can start by keeping these questions in mind throughout December and jotting down notes as things come up. Write them in a journal or on a note in your phone for easy access!

1. What changed my life this year?
2. What habits and routines worked well for me?
3. What didn’t work — and why?

Be brutally honest here. The more honest you are, the easier it is to move forward.

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my real-life reflection examples

To show you what this can actually look like, here are a few things I wrote down while reflecting.

what changed my life this year

• moving to a new town
• getting pregnant
• creating stronger phone boundaries
• leaning back into hobbies (actually doing them, not just pinning them)
• shifting toward long-form content instead of short-form burnout
• deep mindset and faith shifts that carried me through hard seasons

Some of these were big life changes. Others were small habits that made daily life feel calmer.

habits that worked

• using menus instead of strict routines
• reading before bed
• being more intentional with phone use

habits that didn’t work

• poor communication (not setting expectations clearly)
• taking things too personally in work and relationships

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build a vision for 2026 (not just goals)

Once you’ve reflected, then it’s time to build a vision.

I love the word vision because it goes deeper than goals. Goals are what you do. Vision is who you’re becoming.

Instead of asking:
“What do I want to achieve?”

Try asking:

• Who do I want to be by the end of 2026?
• What do I want my day-to-day life to look like?
• How do I want my weeks to feel?

Because how you spend your days is how you spend your life.

vision-building questions you can use

• Who do I want to be?
• What habits do I want to keep up consistently?
• What do I want to experience more of?
• What relationships do I want to prioritize?
• What books, trips, or moments am I excited about?

You don’t need to answer all of these at once. Let them simmer.

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make your vision visible

I love to be as extra as possible with my vision board so of course I have to do 3 different versions of this, but you can also just pick one!

You can:

• create a Pinterest board
• design a digital board in Canva
• make a physical collage

The major key is visibility. You need to have your vision board somewhere where you can regularly see it If it lives in a folder you never open, or gets shoved behind your nightstand, it won’t support your reset.

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choose focus areas instead of strict resolutions

Rather than setting a million achievement-based goals, I focus on areas of life I want to grow in — knowing that different seasons will require different levels of energy.

My current focus areas include:

• personal growth & habits
• finances
• health & movement
• relationships
• mom life
• creative work & career
• home
• travel

You don’t need to “complete” one area before moving to the next. These areas work together to build a life you actually enjoy living — not just a list of things to accomplish.

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use menus instead of rigid routines

If strict routines have never worked for you, this might be the missing piece.

A menu gives you options — just like ordering at a restaurant. You choose what fits your energy that day.

I use menus for:

• morning routines
• evening routines
• cleaning
• mom life activities

This removes decision fatigue while still giving flexibility

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audit your food + prep for low-energy seasons

One of the most practical resets you can do is simplifying food decisions.

Start by:

• writing down meals you already enjoy
• choosing a few repeatable breakfasts, lunches, and dinners
• pairing meals with grocery lists you can quickly reorder

This is especially helpful heading into busy seasons (or postpartum, burnout, or winter).

When motivation is low, systems matter the most!!

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use tools that support long-term planning

For bigger-picture planning, I love using Notion for:

• yearly goals
• monthly focus areas
• content planning
• life admin
• seasonal prep

There are so many amazing videos out there on youtube that teach you how to use it! Seriously such an amazing tool

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final encouragement

You don’t need to do a perfect reset.
You don’t need new products.
You don’t need to watch 47 reset videos.

You just need to actually take the time to reflect and take some action, even if it is in small steps forward!

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reminder: you don’t have to reset alone

🎧 here are some helpful Hot Mess Habits resources:

• digital detox habits for overstimulated girlies
• habits & routines for type b girlies
• this random habit helped me reset my life

Loved this post? Listen to the full podcast episode for deeper context and personal examples:

HOW TO RESET YOUR LIFE FOR 2026: