Ring In The New Year With Fewer Days That Suck!
Pause, Reflect, Fuel Your Progress!
4 Intentional Tips To Move Forward.
Daily Decision: Why Most Resolutions Fail, and a Morning Habit Helps.
Decision fatigue is real—fewer early decisions preserve energy. Tiny rituals, 2-5 minutes daily (like a positive affirmation) creates predictability & lowers stress.
Why it works: Dopamine’s released when the brain sees completion/progress.
Try this: Create early wins to keep normal morning stress from escalating.
Daily Decision: Focus on One or Two Priorities—Set Yourself Up To Win.
Why it works: Too many goals guarantee burnout. Fewer priorities = follow-through and better completion rates—accomplishments build confidence.
Try this: Accountability partner + weekly check-ins prevent silent quitting.
Daily Decision: Small Reframes Each Day Reshape Habits Over Time.
Pausing—flipping the script creates early wins, supports motivation, & helps to make positive patterns that stick.
Why it works: Repeated daily practice changes patterns—strengthening neural pathways (neuroplasticity). We notice opportunities vs. focusing on problems.
Try this: When I usually start to _________, I’ll flip the script and __________.Daily Decision: Laughter + Gratitude Increase Dopamine & Reduce Stress. Laughter lowers stress & activates the reward center in the brain. Gratitude increases dopamine & serotonin. Positive emotions improve cognitive flexibility.
Why it works: It’s the broaden-and-build theory: Positive emotions expand thinking, build inner resources—the upward shift makes follow-through easier.Try this: Make a Boost Box—drop in gratitude notes + things to laugh at.
Cheers to staying connected with your sunshine in 2026:
It’s not about forcing positivity but approaching life differently!
4 Science-Backed Activities:
Declutter: Get organized (a little bit every day). Keep it simple—don’t aim for perfection! Each Day: Declutter 1 physical item (home or work), 1 digital (email, photo, app), & 1 mental load (negative thought, worry, or unrealistic thought).
Why it works: Accomplishment fuels progress—reducing visual, digital, & mental clutter lowers cognitive overload, decreases stress hormones, and boosts dopamine through small wins—making follow-through more likely.
Move Your Body (in Ways You Enjoy): The more we do it… the more we want to do it. Choose movement that feels good: Walk, stretch, dance, swim, garden, strength train. Consistency matters more than intensity. Build a positive habit!
Why it works: Regular movement lowers stress, boosts endorphins, improves mood, sleep and energy levels, supports long-term brain and heart health, allows for recovery—and community strengthens social connection.
Learn, Create, & Practice Mindful Noticing: Engage your brain daily: Learn something new, create something small… practice mindful noticing—identify 3 things that lift you up—such as nature, color, texture, sounds, smells.
Why it works: Focused attention activates the brain’s reward pathways and supports neuroplasticity. Mindful noticing increases emotional regulation and gratitude, helping the brain linger longer in positive states.
Set Yourself Up—Plan For Success: Set realistic goals around: Finances, health, time, & priorities. Break big goals into small steps—allow room for life to happen. Prioritize sleep, recovery, and nourishing food to support body & mind.
Why it works: Clear planning reduces uncertainty (anxiety)—increases perceived control and lowers rumination. Flexible plans, adequate rest, and nutrition support motivation, cognitive function, resilience, and helps prevent burnout.