As you know, I am a tiny bit averse to the word “new year’s resolution“, because a) I can make new resolutions every damn day if I want to, and b) honestly, most resolutions revolve around new habits or giving something up or finding a new routine, and I feel like I have a pretty routine as it is. I don’t need an overhaul.
But, like so many of you, I am also a planner at heart and constantly scheming, tweaking, and optimizing my routines. And I will absolutely take the opportunity of a new year, especially after the one we just had, to make plans and think about the things I want to do in 2026.
And since all of us have read Shu’s book by now and are all hyped up on planning, I will also put out a more detailed list this year.
Big things this year
I’ll turn 5-0. I don’t know how to feel about this. After losing my best friend at 49, it feels like a milestone I am thrilled to accomplish. At the same time, I am still grappling with the question: where did the time go? Didn’t I just graduate from college?
Also, Jon and I will be married 20 years in May (WHAT? HOW?).
But as one of my favorite mantras goes, I GET TO be 5-0 and celebrate 20 years of marriage, and I am planning to celebrate both!
Also, here’s a random list of the random things I want to do in 2026. I reserve the right to change them, switch them up, or add to them.
PERSONAL
- Read 2 books a month.
My reading score has been so low that I hope that this is somewhat realistic. - Use facemasks weekly when I do my Sunday meditation.
Because it’s a perfect opportunity to “double dip” for self-care. - Prioritize sleep and rest.
I am hoping to continue my meditation routine, allow naps, and generally work on my sleep schedule. I am generally a good sleeper. I fall asleep easily, I rarely wake up during the night, and usually feel pretty rested when I get up, but I want to track and improve my sleep score and manage stress as best as I can. (Unfortunately, I am expecting this to continue to be a necessity in 2026.) - Regularly walk with a friend (virtually or in person).
I’ve been meeting up (virtually) with a friend during my lunch break, on and off, and I am aiming to do this at least twice a week. - Find a running group, book club, or knitting group locally.
Yeah, I talked about finding local friends for a while, but I had no mental capacity last year to pursue any of it. Is 2026 going to be the year?
HEALTH/WELLNESS
- Complete (another) 365 Peloton Streak.
This has been on my list for a few years now. I am in my 6th year and haven’t missed a “blue dot” in 1845 days (which means I have taken one class on the Peloton platform, even 5-minute meditation counts, every day since January 1, 2021). - Run at least 3 races.
I didn’t run any races in 2025, and I am itching to compete (against myself) again. I also do better with a training goal on my calendar. - Hit a weekly (not daily) average step count.
I’ll be aiming for a weekly step count of 56,000 (an average of 8,000 daily steps). With all the other movements I fit into my day, I feel like that’s a good enough number. The idea of 10,000 steps per day is nothing but a marketing concept, in case you didn’t know. I also think it’s normal that there will be rest days where step count will be low. - Keep up my yoga streak.
Yoga has been my choice for the Streakers’ “Personal Streak” tracker (see my Weekly Run Down posts), and it’s been a wonderful practice to get movement and mobility into my day. I want to keep it up. - Get a DEXA scan and maybe a V02Max test done.
I’ve been thinking about this for a while. A DEXA scan reveals data about your body composition (muscle and fat), and V02 max measures your aerobic fitness. I get both statistics from my smart scale and smart watch, but have no idea how accurate these numbers are, and I am curious to see if they’re close to what an actual DEXA scan/V02 Max test would measure.
RELATIONSHIPS
- Date nights with Jon once a month.
This may sound “silly” to you, but even couples without kids struggle with date nights. We have the advantage of not needing a babysitter (duly noted!). - Go skiing with my family.
This is in the works, as it will hopefully be my birthday trip home to see my sister and celebrate with my family. - Plan an anniversary trip.
You’ll be shocked to hear that Jon and I never had an official honeymoon. I am not saying that we should be going on a honeymoon 20 years later, but I do want to plan something. - Visit Boston and meet up with my friend from Sydney.
My friend from Sydney, Australia, will be in the States in the spring, and I am hoping to be able to meet up with her. We started as penfriends, we’ve known each other for almost 35 years, and have met each other in person twice now. I hope that the time after next I see her will be in Australia (I want to go!). - Reach out to friends more.
I have a pretty full schedule most weekends to fit in calls with family and friends overseas. Due to a time difference of 9 hours, I usually can only talk to people in the mornings (evenings for them) and therefore it has to happen on the weekends (because I work during the week, duh!). I want to make an effort to schedule more regular check-ins, and reach out via text message more often when I cannot connect regularly via FaceTime/Call. I also want to send more snail mail in 2026. It used to be my thing! - Continue monthly Teams Calls with Ingrid.
Ingrid will be 94 years young this year, and I hope we will be able to continue our monthly conversations for a very long time.
HOME
- Estate Planning
Since we’ve been dealing with my late mother-in-law’s estate for the last few months now, it’s become imperative that we get our own ducks in a row. - Declutter/organize garage
There are still a lot of boxes in the garage that I haven’t touched since we moved here (15 months ago).
WORK
- Keep advocating for myself.
This is a resolution I have to keep in the forefront of my mind. Lisa talked about setting boundaries in her latest Saturday Coffee Chat posts, and though she didn’t list it as a goal for 2026, she mentioned it as a positive outcome from some traumatic experiences of 2025, and I feel that in my bones. Lisa said, “Boundaries are HARD to establish, but no one is going to create them for you.” That is so true. - Establish some new work-friend relationships.
Most of the people that I felt close to at work have left in the last year, and I mentioned that I have just learned that I am switching research groups. Only one long-term colleague (who works at a different office though) is transitioning to the same group with me. I feel like I am “starting a new job” in a way, and I want/have to make an effort to connect with more people in my new research group.
FUN
- Go on a solo retreat.
No idea if I am going to make this happen, but I’ve heard it here and there from others, and it sounds like something that I would definitely enjoy! I don’t mind traveling alone, and a night or two away all by myself be lovely. - Get a spa treatment.
Could be a facial, a pedicure, a massage – anything wellness-related. - Learn something new.
Not sure what this could be, but maybe a pottery or a cooking class.
On a final note, my planner arrived, and I can actually start planning in seriousness. I was telling Sarah that I had been taking notes from her book and started brainstorming on scratch paper because I was late deciding on an actual planner, but now it is here. And so far, I am really happy with the one I chose. Which one, you ask? This will be a topic for another post.
photo credit: @kellysikkema via Unsplash
Birchie
January 12, 2026 at 8:06 amI’m excited to hear about your planner! I like all of these goals.
There is no time limit on honeymoons and no rule that you can’t take one for your 20th!
I’ll take you up on the challenge to connect with friends more! Maybe we can go for a virtual walk sometime soon!
San
January 16, 2026 at 9:37 pmI’d love to virtually walk with you sometime, Birchie!
Elisabeth
January 12, 2026 at 8:27 amWhat a great list, San!
It is crazy how quickly time seems to go in retrospect. We’re almost to our 20-year-anniversary, too. Eeks! Wasn’t it just yesterday?
I dropped my 14-year-old off at high school this morning and when she got out of the car I could just leave. I didn’t need to sign her in. Didn’t need to help her prep her lunch before we left home. Didn’t brush her hair. And it really hit me how drastically my role as a mom has changed in terms of the “physical” side of things. Of course emotionally I’m still a sounding board, but she handles so many things without me and sometimes it’s hard to believe we’re to this stage in life!
And that Peloton streak is incredibly impressive!
San
January 16, 2026 at 9:38 pmOh man, I can imagine how much your growing kids emphasize the passing of time! I cannot believe Belle’s in high school! Wah!
Michelle G.
January 12, 2026 at 9:21 amSan, you inspire me SO much! What an amazing Peloton streak! I was beyond excited when I reached my 100 day streak a few days ago. It’s so motivating to see all those blue dots! I’m looking forward to reading about your planner. I know how time flies. I feel like I was 50 just a few days ago, and I’ll be turning 57 this month! Eeek!
San
January 16, 2026 at 9:38 pm100 day streak is amazing. We all start somewhere, and I am so impressed with your dedication to Peloton and working with your diabetes! Keep it up, Michelle!
SHU
January 12, 2026 at 10:24 amI love these!
First of all, i SOOO hope you can find a running group. I actually miss the social aspects of running as much as the actual running / training / etc! it can be so fun to have a great running partner or group.
Second, Josh and I also are celebrating our 20th!! In May!
Third, I totally agree that date nights can still be a challenge because believe it or not we were BETTER about setting them up when we DID have a babysitter! Now that we have a teen who can babysit, it feel like date night can be ‘whenever’ and when something can happen whenever but takes some effort . . it can easily not happen. SO your date night goal makes total sense to me!!
San
January 16, 2026 at 9:39 pmYou’re right – I think that’s the thing: when something can happen “whenever”, we’re much less like to proactively plan it! Good point!
Oh wow, and you’ll also celebrate 20 years in May! Amazing!
Nicole MacPherson
January 12, 2026 at 11:27 amDate night doesn’t seem silly to me, I cannot remember the last time we went out on a date. Oh wait, yes I do, it was when the Blue Jays were in game seven (sobs forever)
Moving on!
As someone who is all of 9 months into her fifties, I think it’s great. I have lost a lot of people who were younger than that and also I’ve noticed in the past five years a lot of school friends have also passed. So yes, we get to be fifty! It’s really amazing, what fifty is now. When we were young, fifty was like “grey permed hair, housedress, thick support hose” and now it’s just “support hose.” Lol, for me anyway. Anyway, I think it’s a fabulous milestone!
All of those goals/ resolutions sound great to me – doable and practical!
San
January 16, 2026 at 9:40 pm50 is definitely the new 30 – or something like that :) Fifty used to look a lot different, that’s for sure. I’ll let you know when I buy my first support hose LOL
Sam
January 12, 2026 at 1:51 pmLove this list of goals, and how it seems built on many of your existing routines! It sounds like you have some fun travel coming up, and I hope you plan a really fun anniversary trip–such exciting milestones this year.
San
January 16, 2026 at 9:41 pmThank you Sam – I read that you’re also building on your existing routines! I personally think that is always a smart way to accomplish things!
NGS
January 12, 2026 at 2:01 pmI got myself a physical planner this year, too! PHYSICAL. With markers. And a mood tracker. I don’t know that the mood tracker is going to help me with anything except know that I am chronically anxious, but I’m here for it.
We also struggle with monthly date nights, so you’re not alone! It’s one of my goals this year, too.
San
January 16, 2026 at 9:42 pmHooray for personal planners! Which one did you get? (I am nosy!).
Let’s hold each other accountable with these monthly date nights.
coco
January 13, 2026 at 12:06 amgosh, I didn’t know you’re hitting 50 this year, this is huge!
I am planing 3-4 races this year too, it’s quite fun and great to train toward a goal.
I’m doing Friday friend’s catch up/check in too, so I keep in touch with who I really care even if we live continents apart.
San
January 16, 2026 at 9:42 pmHow exciting that you’re also planning 3-4 races this year. When’s your first one? Have you started training?
Ernie
January 14, 2026 at 7:02 amThese look like great goals. I am team prioritize rest and sleep. Plus working out. Balance, right? I can believe that date nights are something you need to work in even if you don’t have kids. It is easy to stay home and do the usual esp when you both have jobs and other focuses. All the best in 2026.
San
January 16, 2026 at 9:42 pmYes, working out and rest/sleep goes hand in hand IMHO :)
Suzanne
January 14, 2026 at 3:55 pmThese are fabulous goals, and WOW, what a doubly celebratory year with your big birthday and your milestone anniversary together! I love the idea of you and Jon taking a twentymoon somewhere fun!
San
January 16, 2026 at 9:43 pmTwentymoon… you know, I like the ring of it :)
Anthea
January 14, 2026 at 10:48 pmGreat goals San! I know what you mean about time flying so quickly. Hubby and I are also having our 20 year anniversary (at the end of the year) and I cannot believe how quickly time has moved.
I hope you and Jon have an amazing trip celebrating this milestone anniversary and that your birthday is extra special.
Good luck for your 2026 goals, looking forward to seeing what planner you chose.
San
January 16, 2026 at 9:43 pmThank you, Anthea. Wow, and you’ll also be hitting 20 years this year… amazing. Are you planning something special?
Tobia | craftaliciousme
January 14, 2026 at 11:48 pmI am happy to read you have some big celebrations coming up during 2026. I will cheering you on, on your birthday from the arctic. I love that you plan trips and have happy things on the schedule.
Here is to a wonderful 2026.
San
January 16, 2026 at 9:44 pmUh, your trip is coming up and fast! I am so excited for you. Do you feel ready?
Lisa's Yarns
January 15, 2026 at 12:47 pmI have had 2 Dexa scans because I have RA and have been on prednisone a lot which is not good for bone health. It doesn’t tell you anything about muscle or fat – it only assesses the strength of your bones and indicates areas of concerns/helps identify osteopenia or osteoporosis. You’d need to do a bod pod or something similar to assess muscle and fat %s. OTF has a machine that assesses muscle and fat, too, but you’d have to pay for it and I think it’s less accurate than the bod pod.
That’s exciting that you are turning 50 and celebrating 20 years of marriage! I think SHU is celebrating 20 years, too!
San
January 16, 2026 at 9:45 pmHmm, I am pretty sure the DEXA scan can also measure fat and muscle mass… but either way, yes, it’ll be interesting to see the results of that. I am just a statistic nerd – hehe.
Stephany
January 16, 2026 at 7:48 amI love your goals! So many good ones here. I am continuously impressed with your Peloton streak. I can’t believe you’ve been doing it so consistently for so long!
I really hope you can find a good local group. I know how much community/friendship means to you. <3
San
January 16, 2026 at 9:45 pmPeloton has really been baked into my routine that I don’t even think about it as something I have to “proactively” think about as a goal. I guess it’s true what they say about habits.
Meike
January 16, 2026 at 9:13 amWhat a fabulous list! It has a lot of the things I tried to do last year (including the 5-0 birthday and the 20 year wedding anniversary, minus the health/fitness goals). I keep my fingers crossed the new work team turns out to be great! Since I work in research I do have a lot of turnover periodically my PI being the only constant but so far it always turned out great.
San
January 16, 2026 at 9:47 pmOh wow, you also had both the 5-0 and the 20 year anniversary last year? Dang! Congratulations again to these milestones!
Happy Things Friday | January 16 – theinbetweenismine
January 22, 2026 at 11:57 am[…] I started a new book this week, the second one for 2026. That deserves mentioning because I put a reading goal on my goals list. […]
Anne
February 5, 2026 at 12:08 pmAs always, San, you amaze me. Those blue dots are really adding up. I’m also impressed with your ability to fit yoga into your daily life. For your 2026 (or, perhaps, 2027) travels, may I suggest the Great Midwest? You could check a lot of blogger boxes. ;)