26 New Year Resolutions Round Up for 2026

If you blinked and it’s suddenly 2026, you’re not alone. If you are feeling pressure for things like goals and resolutions and getting the year off on the right foot, you are also not alone. The good news is that there is plenty of time to set the tone for 2026. You have not missed any sort of resolution deadline because that simply does not exist. Any deadline would be self-imposed and I am here to tell you to just not add that made-up additional stress on yourself.

Instead of resolutions, I decided to focus on a reset in 2026. This means some reflection and being honest with myself about 2025. What went well, what didn’t. What are the triggers that cause stress or tears on my drive home that don’t necessarily need to. What will help me feel like I am keeping the wheels on in 2026.

For me, a reset is what I need for myself and where I am currently in life. It just felt right. There have been many years when a list of resolutions felt right. Many years when that list motivated and excited me for the year ahead.

If you are still wrapping your arms around the fact that the calendar really has flipped to a new year, don’t let the stress of figuring out a list stress you out.

You don’t need to set resolutions. You don’t need to reset. But if you want to, I thought I would make it easy by sharing a whole list of possible resolutions from my past lists.

1) Drink more water. Keep a water bottle at your desk/in your car etc. and ensure you drink a set amount every single day.

2) Give at least one compliment a day. And mean it!

3) Bring lunch to work at least 2 days a week. Cost savings!

4) Get a massage. Not regularly because we all know that just won’t happen. If it can happen, have at it!

5) Floss. Every day. Or maybe every other day. Ok, floss more than you currently do.

6) Get more sleep. I try this every year and have yet to achieve it.

7) Be more active or stay active. For the moms who already have fitness as a part of your routine, don’t try to conquer the world by increasing it. Sometimes sticking to routine is challenge enough! If you are not active, try for 2 days a week of introducing some heart pumping and strength into your life.

8) Plan a regular ladies night. It doesn’t have to be weekly and it doesn’t have to be fancy. Even a quarterly get together at someone’s house can give you something to look forward to.

9) Pay for the stranger behind you in line. This is something I want to do at least a couple of times in 2026.

10) Moisturize. Especially in these Winter months. Do something for yourself each day by lathering up a bit with lotion.

11) Eat more fruits and veggies. Sometime I am so worried about packing my kids’ lunches and snacks that I will go days and realize I have not had a whole piece of fruit.

12) Pray. In the car, before bed, in the morning before your family wakes up- set aside dedicated time to connect with Jesus and center yourself.

13) Have lazy days. No plans, no commitments. Kids schedules make this one really challenging so plan ahead and try to find an empty calendar day even if it only happens a few times in 2026.

14) Practice gratitude. Remind yourself regularly of the things you have in life that bring you joy. Tell others how they bring you joy. Even if it’s just telling your husband thank you for dropping off the kids to school or helping with household chores. This is particularly important during life challenges but can help remind us of God’s presence with us through this life.

15) Slow down. As I reset for 2026, this is one thing that didn’t go well for me in 2025.

16) Make your bed every morning. It pulls the whole room together and leaves you feeling a bit more organized.

17) Write a letter to yourself/Journal. This is one of my favorite things to do. I write one to myself each year and then read it the following year. If you feel you have it in you, try to start journaling this year. This can be a great way to connect with God, slow down and practice gratitude too!

18) Volunteer. Find something you are passionate about. Carve out time to volunteer. Church is often a great place to find opportunities as well.

19) Give yourself a break. Moms, we are so hard on ourselves. Stop it! This is another one for me as I reflect on 2025. Some of my stressors seem so silly but it’s because I can be so hard on myself. It’s hard not to be so I am at least trying to be aware of moments where I simply need to give myself grace.

20) Give hand written notes. I believe this is a lost art. Make time to write notes to people. Mail them or stick them on a coworker’s desk. One of my teacher friends keeps all the notes her students give to her. Handwritten words matter!

21) Get fully dressed ____ days per week. If you’re a stay-at-home mom, you know how easy it is to stay in yoga pants all day. If that’s something you struggle with, resolve to get dressed in “real” clothes a certain number of days per week.

22) Have your kids pack their own school lunches. My kids are in middle school and high school and this is something I still have not fully delegated to them. I understand the struggle is real. I also hope that by the time they go to college to have gifted them with the ability to make lunch for themselves.

23) Establish a “bathroom cleaning day” to make sure your bathroom is regularly cleaned every week. This is one I delegate well. My kids clean their own bathroom. At first it was a struggle but now honestly, they just do it without my asking, most of the time.

24) Say no to things. Like sleep, you can start in small increments on this one. It doesn’t mean you start flaking on commitments but test out saying no to things once in awhile. Maybe it’s a happy hour that you don’t actually want to go to; just say no! Maybe it’s a school board that you have done in the past but you just aren’t enjoying any longer; just say no!

25) Read ____ books this year. For me, this may be audio books.

26) Let your kids see you rest. Model balance instead of burnout. This doesn’t have to mean an actual nap but allowing your kids to see you taking some downtime and setting boundaries can be a good thing.

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