Between the chaos of the holidays and everything else life throws at us, I have to be honest, I have not spent much time thinking about New Year’s resolutions for 2026. And from what I can tell, most people haven’t either. For every person excited to “switch things up” in the new year, there are plenty more who are happy to just go with the flow and see where things land.
Is that because people lack motivation or commitment? Maybe. Or maybe people are tired of the same surface-level resolutions that show up every January, followed by packed gyms and unrealistic expectations. Others might feel like their plates are already full and the idea of adding one more thing feels exhausting.
I want to offer a different way of looking at it. What if it is not the resolution itself that people avoid, but the idea of change?
I cannot count how many times I have entered a new year with big hopes for myself, only to feel burnt out and discouraged by February. As blunt as it sounds, change is hard. Really hard. Most of us do not realize just how difficult it is until we have tried and felt like we failed.
That is when change starts to feel scary. Stressful. Anxiety-inducing. And honestly, who wants to pursue something they believe will end in disappointment? I know I don’t.
I see this all the time with clients when change enters their lives. Going away to college. Starting a new relationship. Looking for a new job. Getting married. Becoming a parent. Losing someone you love. All of these bring up the same theme: fear of the unknown. That tense feeling you get when you know a jump scare is coming in a movie but cannot look away. For me, that is pretty much every episode of Stranger Things. Why are there so many jump scares?! Seriously!
Anyway.
Change is unavoidable. It is one of the few guarantees in life. So if we already know change is coming whether we want it or not, why does choosing change feel so overwhelming?
A lot of it comes down to the pressure we put on ourselves. Change has earned a bad reputation, much like mental health once did. It was something people avoided because it challenged the way things had always been. And yet here we are in 2026, openly talking about mental health and growth on a counseling website that exists to help people navigate life as it really is. If changes were only negative, none of this would be possible.
This is where consistency matters more than intensity. We all know the saying that Rome was not built in a day. So why do we expect massive results overnight? Trying to do everything at once almost guarantees burnout. And burnout leads straight back to feeling like change is not worth it.
What if instead, you slowed things down?
What if you added one small step at a time? Go to the gym twice a week instead of five. Apply to a few jobs, then give yourself space to breathe before applying to more. Take time when apartment hunting instead of jumping on the first option that looks good on paper. No one wants to end up locked into a lease that smells like cat pee. Ask me how I know.
Jokes aside, change does not need to be rushed to be meaningful. Treat yourself with compassion when things do not go perfectly. When something feels overwhelming, pause. Check in with yourself. Adjust. Keep going.
Life can feel chaotic and unpredictable. But it can also be really beautiful when you give yourself permission to grow at your own pace.
Here’s to a 2026 filled with progress, setbacks, learning moments, and small wins. Just remember that all of it matters.
So I leave you with one question: are you willing to take a chance on change this year?
Hi, I’m Angie. I work with people who are trying to hold it all together while quietly wondering why life feels so overwhelming. Maybe you’re stepping into a new chapter—college, a job, a relationship—and it’s not going the way you thought it would. Maybe you’re tired of overthinking, people-pleasing, or feeling like you’ve lost track of who you are. I get it, and you don’t have to figure it out alone.
In therapy, I help you slow down, untangle the noise, and start feeling like yourself again. Together we’ll build confidence, set real boundaries, and find ways to handle life without so much pressure or self-doubt. My goal isn’t to “fix” you—it’s to remind you that you already have the strength and clarity you need.
When I’m not in session, you can usually find me sipping a matcha latte, spending time with my dog, or enjoying the calm of fall weather.
If you’re ready to feel grounded, confident, and back in control of your own story, I’d love to meet you.
