Christmas is coming, Simbang Gabi is looming, and before we fully dive into the party mood, the holiday rush is already nudging us toward a quiet truth—we are slowly being eased into 2026. Many times over the past few days, overwhelmed by everything that needs to be done, I found myself stressed and needing a small pause, a moment to think about my next steps, especially for the coming year. And I realized that this is the best time to do it.
In the past years, it has been so helpful to get into therapeutic rituals to usher in the new year. So while I’m also carving out space for my own life reset, I’m sharing a few things I’ve been reflecting on—26 intentional actions we can do before 2026.
1. Declutter your email inbox. Unsubscribe from newsletters you don’t read, archive important threads, and delete the rest. A clean inbox is a small but powerful reset.
2. Organize your phone. Delete unused apps, categorize your home screen, back up your photos, and clear duplicates. Digital detox counts as real decluttering.
3. Sort out your clothes. Donate the ones you don’t really wear. Give them a new purpose and save space. Keep those that fit your style and lifestyle.
4. Deep-clean your physical spaces. Choose one small area a day — your desk, kitchen counter, or bedside table. A clearer environment lightens mental load
5. Reassess your finances. Review income, expenses, and financial habits. Adjust your money strategy based on what actually happened this year. Observe any recurring pattern you need to address.
6. Conduct a year-end budget rehearsal. Before 2026 officially starts, try living on next year’s planned monthly budget for one or two weeks. This “rehearsal” helps you spot unrealistic allocations, tighten loose areas, and refine your financial flow before the year begins.
7. Review your savings goals. Check your emergency fund, travel fund, and long-term plans. Update your targets for 2026.
8. Audit your subscriptions. I cannot emphasize this enough, especially after experiencing being charged a lump sum due to the auto-renewal of a trial subscription. Be mindful of dates and cancel unused apps, services, or memberships to avoid surprise charges next year.
9. Schedule overdue health appointments. Think dental cleaning, check-up, blood test, or anything you’ve been postponing. There is power in knowing the state of your health.
10. Declutter your pantry and refrigerator. Toss expired items and restock essentials with intention.
11. Update passwords and enable two-factor authentication. A safer digital life is part of a calmer life
12. Curate your social media feed. Unfollow accounts that drain your energy or trigger your anxiety. Follow those that bring you inspiration and good vibes.
13. List your 2025 wins. Celebrate everything from major breakthroughs to small wins that helped you grow. Take note of what worked to get you there.
14. Write down your 2025 lessons learned. Be honest and reflective. These will help you make better choices next year.
15. Clean your physical desktop and files. Organize documents into proper folders. Future you will be thankful.
16. Update your resumé or portfolio. Even if you’re not job-hunting, it’s good to keep your achievements documented.
17. Reevaluate relationships. Identify the people who nourished you and gently set boundaries with those who didn’t. Slowly cut off from toxicity.
18. Create a 2026 vision board. Include not only goals but also feelings—how you want your year to flow. Match this with a playlist!
20. Set your 2026 non-negotiables. Sleep, rest days, work boundaries, and self-care routines need to be determined, and they deserve commitment.
21. Upgrade a habit or skill. Choose the habit that will make the biggest positive impact—better sleep, more movement, or daily journaling.
22. Donate or recycle unused items. Let go of clutter with intention and compassion.
23. Clean up or organize your bank accounts. Rename folders, set up automatic transfers, and tidy online banking.
24. Write a letter to your 2026 self. Capture your hopes, gratitude, and reminders. Don’t forget to be kind.
25. Assess your career direction. Ask yourself, “What progress did I make?” or “What skills do I want to sharpen?”
26. Choose a guiding word for 2026. A single word can anchor your decisions all year. Align your actions and major decisions with your keyword. Example: #Courage2026
End 2025 with gratitude. Pause, breathe, and thank the year for shaping you. Whatever happened, good or bad, brought you where you are today.
For your random thoughts, email the author at randomrepublika@gmail.com.
