2026 is a new year and a fresh start. As winter fades away, spring is right around the corner, representing new beginnings, hope, and growth. Flowers aren’t the only thing in bloom; people are too as they commit to their plans and goals for 2026. New Year’s resolutions aren’t entirely about breaking bad habits, but creating positive habits as well. 

“My New Year’s resolution is to be more fluent in sign language, read more, and be on my phone less,” freshman Quinlan Spring said. “Being in an ASL II class this year will help me stay motivated, and my sister really loves to read, so I think she’ll kind of push me to reach my goals,” “I think going to activities outside of school will help me be off my phone as well.”

 Finding the motivation to complete a New Year’s resolution and incorporate it into one’s lifestyle can be challenging, but not impossible. Anyone who wishes to improve something in their life is capable of consistently attempting to do so. 

Some even wish to focus more on improving the environment around them in the new year. By upcycling items, the Earth is slowly becoming healthier and healing from consumerism.  

“My New Year’s resolution was to be less consumerist and be more resourceful, like making the switch from plastic bags to reusable containers,” freshman

Emerson Patrick said. “I’ve also read a bunch of articles about fast fashion and how it’s destroying the economy and the planet, and it’s been a crazy insight to me by opening my eyes to how much we consume, especially in the United States.”

New Year’s resolutions don’t always need to be complicated; they can be as simple as learning a new dance.  

“My New Year’s resolution is to learn how to hit the Dougie,” freshman Brody MacDonald said. “I want to surprise my sister by doing it at her wedding.”

A study by Health Psychologist Phillippa Lally reveals it can take anywhere from two to eight months to integrate new habits into a consistent routine. Individuals in the study were seldom able to pick up new habits right away.

In fact, focusing on perfection wasn’t what guaranteed a person to succeed, but rather incremental improvements over time. 

“You should treat failure like a scientist, give yourself permission to make mistakes, and develop strategies for getting back on track quickly,” Behavioral Psychologist James Clear said. “Understanding this from the beginning makes it easier to manage your expectations and commit to making small, incremental improvements — rather than pressuring yourself into thinking that you have to do it all at once,” Clear said. 

2025 ends with a new beginning in 2026; a fresh start to turn goals into crystalized habits while navigating the new year.