A blog by Pepetoe.
No, I’m not talking about your “January Plans” or “New Years Resolutions”. What do you want now in the final two weeks of this year?
You’ll know if you have been following Pepetoe for quite some time that I don’t believe in New’s Years Resolutions. Why? Because almost always they fail. And almost always they are about eating clean or starting the gym – out of guilt from the “overeating” during December. And for me, that’s a serious no-go.
In January we are still in our winter months of “hibernating”, and besides that, you should not be feeling guilty for having a little fun over a festive period. You are not going to gain weight overnight because of the Christmas chocolates you ate, or the ten roast potatoes you had on your Christmas dinner, or the larger volume of alcohol you may consume. But, you will gain lots of memories, and precious time spent with your nearest and dearest.
So, let’s ignore the idea of setting some new goals and resolutions for yourself, and instead focus on what you want right now, and who you want to become. Because you don’t need to wait until the first of January to decide on anything. You can start now. So use these last couple weeks of 2025 to decipher who you want to be, and how you can get there. Starting from today.
I’ll go first. For me, I want these last two weeks to be full of joy, positive-energy people, and finding quiet in these little moments. Spending time with family is something so precious to me, and that’s exactly what this time of year is for. There shouldn’t be tons of pressure to make it “the best Christmas yet” and to spend all of your time with your family, because the final week of December is also a good one to spend a little bit of time by yourself to stay true to what you want and to reorganise your life before the year ends!
So, to kick off your thoughts of how you want to spend the rest of the year, and what kind of energy to take into 2026 with you, here’s some of mine. This isn’t a list of resolutions. There’s nothing here about fixing myself, becoming someone new, or suddenly having everything figured out. This is about the energy I’m choosing to carry forward, and the way I want to move through my life, my work, my recovery, and my relationships as I step into 2026. After a few years of unlearning extremes, redefining success, and rebuilding trust with myself, these are the values and intentions I’m grounding myself in.
Soft Discipline Over Punishment
For a long time, discipline felt like something rigid and unforgiving. Something rooted in guilt, control, and the belief that I had to be hard on myself to grow. In 2026, I’m actively unlearning that.
Soft discipline means choosing consistency because I care about myself, not because I’m afraid of failing. It looks like routines that support my energy instead of draining it, and goals that are realistic rather than extreme. It’s showing up imperfectly, adjusting when I need to, and understanding that rest and structure can coexist. Growth doesn’t require cruelty, it requires care.
Recovery-First Thinking
My wellbeing is no longer something I squeeze in around everything else. It comes first.
Recovery-first thinking means every decision I make is filtered through what supports my mental and physical health long-term. That includes work opportunities, movement, social plans, and the way I create content. I’m choosing not to glorify pushing through at my own expense. Nothing I build is worth losing myself in the process.
Gentle Ambition
I still have dreams. I still want to grow, create, and build a meaningful life. What’s changing is how I pursue those things.
Gentle ambition allows me to want more without abandoning myself along the way. It means trusting slow growth, listening to my nervous system, and recognising that burnout is not a badge of honour. I don’t need urgency, exhaustion, or constant pressure to validate my goals. Ambition can be steady, thoughtful, and deeply aligned.
Truth Over Performance
I’m letting go of the need to perform a version of my life that looks impressive but doesn’t feel true.
In 2026, I’m choosing honesty over aesthetics – in my work, my relationships, and my online presence. I don’t need to look healed, productive, or confident all the time to be worthy of space. I want my life to feel real rather than curated, grounded rather than polished. Truth creates connection in ways performance never can.
Letting My Story Take Up Space
For a long time, I minimised my experiences to make them easier for others to digest. I’m not doing that anymore.
My story, including the messy, painful, still-healing parts, deserves space. I don’t need to soften it, sanitise it, or apologise for it. What I’ve lived through has shaped who I am, and that lived experience carries meaning. Taking up space with my story isn’t attention-seeking; it’s self-honouring.
Progress That Isn’t Linear
Healing and growth are not straight lines, and I’m no longer measuring myself as if they should be.
Some seasons are expansive. Others are quiet, maintenance-focused, or about simply getting through the day, and all of them count. Setbacks don’t erase progress, and pauses don’t mean I’m failing. In 2026, I’m trusting that forward motion doesn’t always look obvious.
Boundaries That Protect My Energy
In 2026, I’m setting boundaries without guilt or long explanations.
Saying no is enough. Choosing rest is enough. I don’t owe constant access to my time, body, or emotional energy. Boundaries aren’t walls; they’re how I stay connected to myself and show up more fully in the parts of my life that matter most. Protecting my energy is an act of self-respect.
Joy Without “Earning It”
I’m releasing the belief that joy is something I have to earn through productivity or progress.
I don’t need to be healed enough, successful enough, or ‘together’ enough to enjoy my life. In 2026, I’m allowing laughter, pleasure, softness, and fun without attaching them to achievement. Joy isn’t a reward, it’s a necessity.
Curiosity Instead of Criticism
When things feel hard, I’m choosing curiosity over self-judgement.
Instead of asking what’s wrong with me, I ask what I need. Instead of spiralling into shame, I pause and listen. Curiosity creates space for understanding and growth, while criticism only creates fear. Compassion is the tool I’m carrying forward.
Connection Over Comparison
I’m choosing community over competition, especially with other women.
Comparison pulls me out of my own life and into someone else’s timeline. In 2026, I’m focusing on shared growth, collaboration, and genuine connection. There is room for all of us, and I don’t need to be ahead of anyone to be enough.
Purpose-Led Work
I’m prioritising work that aligns with my values, not just what looks impressive on paper.
Meaning matters more to me than metrics. Impact matters more than constant output. I want my work to feel like an extension of who I am, purposeful, human, and sustainable, rather than something that drains me or pulls me away from myself.
Trusting My Timing
I’m letting go of the pressure to be where I think I should be by now.
My path doesn’t need to look linear, polished, or traditional to be valid. In 2026, I’m trusting that I’m unfolding at the pace my life requires. Being on my own timeline doesn’t mean I’m behind, it means I’m listening.
Lightness Alongside Depth
I’m allowing space for humour, play, and joy alongside deep inner work.
Healing doesn’t have to be heavy all the time. I can care deeply, reflect honestly, and still laugh loudly. Lightness isn’t avoidance. It’s balance, and it’s something I’m actively choosing.
Self-Compassion as a Baseline
I’m no longer reserving kindness for everyone else.
In 2026, I’m learning to speak to myself with patience, warmth, and understanding, especially on the days I struggle. Self-compassion isn’t a reward for doing well; it’s the baseline I deserve.
Staying Rooted in What Matters
As I move into 2026, I’m anchoring myself in what truly counts.
My health. Honest relationships. Purposeful work. And a life that feels aligned rather than performative. This is the energy I’m carrying forward, not perfectly, but intentionally.
As I move into 2026, I’m reminding myself that alignment matters more than acceleration. I don’t need to rush my healing, my work, or my life to prove anything to anyone. I’m allowed to move slowly, change my mind, rest often, and build a life that prioritises sustainability over spectacle.
I know there will be days where I fall back into old patterns, doubt myself, or forget these intentions, and that doesn’t mean they stop being true. It simply means I’m human. Each day is another opportunity to return to this energy, to choose myself again, and to keep creating a life that feels safe, meaningful, and my own.
Xo Pepetoe
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