A Different Way Into the New Year: Entering 2026 With Intention, Not Reinvention
- Diana Kutulos
- 15 hours ago
- 2 min read
As the year comes to a close, you are bombarded with messaging that ‘this is the year to become a new you.’ You are encouraged to change nearly everything about you by accomplishing impossible resolutions. These resolutions often reinforce all-or-nothing thinking and unrealistic expectations, making it easy to slip into negative self-talk the moment things don’t go exactly as planned. Instead, I invite you to let your mind be your vision board for 2026 by diving deeper into your values and growth.  Â
Letting Values Guide the Year Ahead
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) defines values as deeply held, chosen principles that guide how you want to live and behave, acting as a compass for meaning and purpose–unlike goals, which are specific achievements. Value exploration helps you identify what is truly important in your life, providing a foundation for decisions and actions. By understanding the core motivations that drive our behaviors, we start to develop a guiding compass for committed actions. I recommend choosing three values that can be your lighthouse for the year.
If you are feeling lost on what exactly a value is, below are sample values to provide a jumping-off point:
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In the early days of the new year, take a moment to uncover your own values with these questions:
What inspires you?Â
What kind of person do you want to be in key areas (as a partner, parent, friend, co-worker)?
When your life is going well, what qualities are you expressing through your actions?
When you look back on your life years from now, what do you want to be proud of?
If fear, anxiety, or self-doubt weren’t holding you back, how would you act differently?
When do you feel grateful or appreciative? For what?
Building on the Growth That’s Already There
We often look forward to the future and what we can change, but it is equally as valuable to sit in the present and acknowledge a
ll that you’ve accomplished. As you begin to reflect on your values, also take time to honor your previous growth and think about what you learned. Take with you the valuable lessons and new boundaries, and leave behind what was weighing you down. And as always, thank yourself for the commitment to bettering yourself. You’ve made it another year–that is no small feat!
Happy New Year and Happy Values Setting!