‘Into 2026’ a ritual
Hello and welcome to a bit of my world! Before you get into the swing of the new year I’m inviting you to pause, reflect, and create. This little writing ritual will help you to claim a little bit of space and write down some stuff so that you get to move into 2026 with more awareness and understanding of what’s mattering to you right now.
I will be doing this practice a few times this week so I get as much out of my system and onto the page as possible - Join me!
Love Kellyxxx
How to do this practice
Rule One: Make Some Space
This is perhaps the most important step. Making space for ourselves doesn't always come naturally – we're so used to fitting our reflection time around everything/everyone else. But just for now and today, claim just 5/10 minutes (or more if you can) that's entirely yours.
The Practice:
Set a timer for at least 5/10 minutes
Write continuously – don't take your pen off the paper, or if you're dictating, keep talking - I do all mine by dictation on my laptop/phone.
If you feel stuck, write about feeling stuck. Keep the flow going
There's no order to these questions – jump around, come back to them, try different ones
Let what needs to be said today come out.
Say what needs to be said today.
1. What did I learn in 2025?
Let your mind go - think about the surprises, the challenges, the moments that shifted something in you. What wisdom did this year offer?
2. What do I want to take into 2026 with me?
What learnings, qualities, practices, relationships, or insights from this year deserve to travel forward with you?
3. What needs shedding?
What's ready to be released? What have you had enough of? What no longer serves you? What can you leave behind?
4. My intentions for 2026
Not resolutions – intentions. What do you want to invite into your life? How do you want to feel? What do you want to create or become?
Here's how it actually works:
To show you what this looks like in practice, here's an edited version of one of my reflections. Notice how messy and real it is – it’s dictated. Notice that I focus on the psychological here - the next practice took me into much more practical focus…
What did I learn in 2025?
"Time goes so fast. I reached an age I never imagined reaching. What did I learn? That the only way of keeping living is to keep trying new things, keep developing. Even though I hate the struggle, I can't think of another way... but wait, I also learned I don't need to struggle so hard. I need to go with the flow more. Go with MY flow. Stop worrying about getting everything done on time. I'm a slow burn and I've got a lot on. I learned to be more compassionate to myself."
What do I want to take into 2026?
"I want to feel more relaxed about my age. That means really thinking about planning – money, pension, the kids. I'm not a big planner but I want to try. Dancing more! Good times with friends, parties – I love parties. Book more good times in. Do it my way, which is just… get people here."
What needs shedding?
"Fear. Worry about money. Sadness. Guilt and shame. Inhibitions in my body. Worry about what people think of me. Telling myself I'm not good enough. I want to stop telling myself I'm not good enough."
My intentions for 2026:
"Get less scared. Become more of the fearless person people say I am. Understand it's okay to be brave and nothing terrible will happen. Keep working on the business. Keep trusting I'm doing the best I can. Keep talking about change. Keep talking about how important it is to talk about emotional things."
So - get going!
See how it flows? Messy, honest, jumping around, repeating what matters. That's all perfect.
Remember:
There's no order – jump between questions if you want
Keep your hand moving or keep talking if you're dictating
If you get stuck, write about being stuck
Say what needs to be said today
This is your ritual - what comes up will be very personal and interesting to you. Reflect on the results. Re-read them back and know that in the process of speaking you bring what you want into your life and let go of the old.
If you want to burn the papers afterwards you can, or keep them to be read at mid year 2026…
Bring on 2026! Happy New Year to you
Love Kelly x