To Do's Of A New Year...

A Year To Grow

I think we often forget how lucky we are to participate in this thing that we call life. We take for granted people, things, routines, and hobbies that we are able to do. But, at the beginning of every year, we wake up saying how we are finally going to grab life by the horns and actually live by doing all the things we want. Only to wake up in February the same way we woke up every day the year before. This year I want to be different, I want to wake up and feel the improvement building me higher. Growing to be the person who has learned and improved, while still loving the self who came before. Navigating my way through this new year as I have done in years past, I have a list of goals that I, like so many others, have set for myself to be that person. And, as I have also mentioned in years past, I am using all of you as my accountability team. There is a beauty that comes in accountability. It helps us in moments when we feel stuck or find ourselves relapsing. I know for me, being reminded I have accountability can sometimes feel like a punch in the stomach, causing the frustration to simmer. But I need to remind myself that that is what they are there for and that they are coming from a good place to help me arrive at a good place. I am sure there will be more throughout the year, but for now, these are the goals I have set for this new year. 

2026 Goals

• Overthinking.

I overthink everything. To an unhealthy amount, I would say. Every conversation, text, post, action, and decision I overthink. Churning those things in my head until I feel crazy. This year is the year that I don’t hold onto that as if it were my identity, but allow myself to move on in my mind. 

• Ok, I started this one at the end of last year, but I want to stop trying to fix everyone's life. 

Sounds weird with no context. What I mean by that is, it is not on me to make sure everyone is happy in life. Empathy is important, but putting people's happiness as our responsibility is not our job. It is the Lord's, and I am continually giving that to God. 

• Saying sorry only when the situation calls for it. 

It can be so easy to say sorry when we feel uncomfortable, insecure, or in the way. But, we are not in the way, we are not an inconvenience! By being sorry when we are wrong or being there for someone who needs a shoulder will create the illusion that we are so much more confident than we may feel. There is a time and a place for an “I’m sorry”, but it is reserved for those specific moments. 

• Doing it scared. 

This year, I want to run toward things that are hard instead of away. I need a minute to process new things. For my brain to accept the change. But, every so often, my brain will talk me out of it instead, and I know that I have skipped opportunities that I otherwise would have really enjoyed. I am tired of missing out on things because I am uncomfortable. 

• I want to learn a new skill. 

I know a few chords, but I think I want to attempt to learn guitar this year. Not saying it will happen, but I’d like to try. Giving myself grace when I struggle, but also not giving up because it is hard. We will see how this one goes. I also need a guitar first. 

• Positive thinking.

I had this one last year, but I need to continue working on positive thinking.

Life is ordained in so much beauty if we actually see it. What is that saying? "Life doesn't happen to you, it happens for you”. In situations we might deem as negative, there is so much room to grow and allow beauty to form from those moments. 

• Silence.

I, like so many, have a hard time with silence. Part of it goes back to the overthinking, when there is silence, my brain yells. I become uncomfortable and tend to say things only to fill a silence. But, this year, I want to become comfortable in that. To learn that it’s ok to not fill every moment. Sometimes there is beauty in the quiet.

Let’s Go

I fought a lot with my goals for 2025. It can be easy to look back on goals we have made and feel almost guilty or set back by not accomplishing the things that we set out to do. Sometimes, it can feel easier not to have goals or to forget about them. However, I have noticed so much improvement in myself for those things that I have stuck with, and even with the things that I had to add to the next year. Sometimes growth is like a Weeping Willow, where it is swift growing and majestic. But, honestly, most of the time, growth looks a lot more like Oak trees. It is slow and tedious, but the strength, beauty, and endurance that are cultivated by it are something to be admired. Our whole life, we are a ball of clay, shaping and reshaping ourselves to be the people that we aspire to be and who the Lord created us to be. Growth is painful, scary, intimidating, and powerful, whether that be mental growth or learning something new. Being stagnant can feel comfortable until we realize there is a whole world out there that we are limiting ourselves from experiencing. I am excited for the growth that is coming in 2026 and can already tell you it has been hard. But, no pressure - no diamonds. 

I can’t believe that January is already fading into the background. That is crazy! But, regardless of this post not coming out at the very beginning of this year, I hope that it encourages you to write out your goals and even share them with someone… literally anyone. Because not carrying all the weight of working on change and trying to stick to it will cause us to not resent the growing pains that we may need to face. And no goal is embarrassing if it is important to you. I am excited for you to be my accountability team, and I would love to be yours if you need someone. I hope that you have had an amazing kick start to your year and that you enjoy the week before you! Don’t forget to follow on Instagram, share The Allie-Way with someone, subscribe, and let me know what you thought of this post. Thanks for reading, Allie-Cats!

• Dru Allie