A new year has begun and the typical holiday season is over. Some of us have given, celebrated, and spread joy while some of us have grieved and tolerated. Some of us, both. While new beginnings happen every morning, every Monday, every birthday or anniversary, or even every breath, the new year is one of the more obvious new beginnings. I happen to enjoy these new starts and like to use both goal setting and reflection to make the most of this new chapter. During the holidays, whether we like them or not, there is normally a lot of giving—physically and emotionally. This January, I offer an opportunity to focus inward in order to reset.
SELF CARE
A word about self care: this trendy phrase has shifted to mean spa days and sleeping in. Which is great if you need those things to take a break from stress. But the term “self care” emerged publicly (not just a medical setting) in the late 1960s, specifically for the Black community during the Civil Rights Movement. Audre Lorde elaborated on this concept in her book, A Burst of Light, emphasizing “radical self care as self preservation.” She meant for self care to happen in community, with others “to ensure survival and happiness.” In other words—don’t use “self care” as a reason to isolate. Perhaps this is an invitation to view self care in a different light and renegotiate its role in your life. (source: The School of the Art Institute of Chicago)
REFLECTION
A new year is a great opportunity to reflect, simply because there is a clear, universal beginning and end. We all know about SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely), but I invite a more contemplative way to look at the upcoming year—and the one that just ended. If you’re the reflecting type, here are some prompts to help generate some open-ended writing. And maybe even some gratitude for 2025:
— How can I use my community to care for myself? And for others in it?
— Looking back, are there themes to my year?
— What did I learn this year? Who did I meet? What didn’t I know when 2025 began?
— Set goals in categories, such as finances, family, relationships, health, play, friendships, spiritual, work.
— What do I want more of this year? Less of?
— What is my word for the year? I think mine will be “stretch.” I enjoy a double meaning; I plan to stretch more, physically, but I also think I have a higher capacity for stretching myself out of my normal routine.
REACH OUT
Reflection and curiosity are great, but if you get stuck in the overwhelm that was 2025 or to be in 2026 or even in this very moment, take a break. And if the stress is impacting your work, relationships, sleep, etc., contact us for support. At Colors of Austin, we provide access to mental health treatment in many ways—individual therapy, couples, groups, and connect with agencies around Austin to collaborate on helping those in our community.
Happy 2026. May you be happy, may you be healthy, may you live with ease—one of my personal favorite loving-kindness meditations.