What’s New for You?
- tammyhayano6
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
A few weeks before the start of the new year, I took time for deep reflection and an end-of-year review. I completed tasks I had put off (notice the new website updates?!); put some plans into place; and asked myself what changes I needed to make for my life journey. I considered what to focus on; what drained my energy; new boundaries to set; how I wanted to use my time; and what felt uplifting to me.
I chose the word 'balance' as my mantra for the year. I envisioned a typical day, and imagined how balance could be integrated.
It went something like this:
Waking up in the morning and taking a moment to appreciate feeling rested and the start of a new day— instead of my mind jumping into a list of things to do.
Preparing healthy meals for myself with care instead of eating whatever is quick.
Pacing my work, taking breaks with a stretch or a walk, and prioritizing my energy —instead of feeling that everything is urgent and needs to get done.
Noticing the joy, peace, or what's in my awareness in the present moment —instead of distracting, filling up, or passing the time with mindless social media or news updates.
Connecting to life around me instead of being in my head.
Give it a try! A 2026 mantra can be anything for your growth or what you want to bring more into your life, ie. laughter, music, gratitude, nature. These are meant to be universal, sustainable, and soul-enriching rather than goal-driven or material.
As you mentally go through your day, visualize how your mantra can naturally weave in.
By noticing how creatively your mantra can add into your day, the more this will become part of your awareness and practice. If your mantra starts to feel like a checklist, soften into it.
Note: The top photo was taken a few days ago near my home. I had joined a group for a morning walk photographing birds along Alameda’s shoreline. Though the area was quiet and still, it was teeming with life! As I took in the fresh air, warm sunshine, the freshness of the grass, and the lively activity of the birds, I felt interconnected to the magic of nature. Not an outside observer of the experience, but part of the aliveness.
May this inspire you with your own mantra for 2026.
