TeenageTells- Planning For The Year Ahead

2026 is drawing nearer and nearer. 2025 is almost at an end. It feels so crazy to think that a whole year has passed again, but it’s true.

‘New Year, New Me’ is a cliché, and everyone rolls their eyes at it. This year is setting itself up for massive changes, within astrology and the world itself. 2025 was a massive year, and 2026 is when we complete the transformation.

Basically, 2026 is the year to start and solidify the habits you want to keep going for a long time. This is the time to write and build your career, or improve your wellbeing.

I personally am so excited for this year. I like to challenge myself each year, and this time it’s perfect. 26 is half of 52 (the amount of weeks in a year) and that’s how many books I’m trying to read. I’m studying 26 minutes a day (not too much, but still significant) and 26 can apply to so may things! Writing 260 words a day (94,900 words in a year), or 26 self-care days (one every other week).

What are you going to do?

I want you to zoom in on your writing goals, and see the through. Start with something small, and flexible, and build your way from there. You can find thousands (I’m pretty sure that’s not an over exaggeration) of ideas online, but I want to start you off. Adapt these ideas to your life, not the other way round. This is all about your self-improvement and writing.

First, let’s reflect on the last year.

1. Did you achieve everything you wanted to?

If yes, brilliant, keep going, or maybe even challenge yourself further in 2026.

If not, maybe try to make your goals more specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound than in 2025. (Search SMART goals)

2. Do you feel satisfied?

Even if you don’t achieve all your goals, you might have done something else to spiritually fuel you. Or if you did hit your goals, maybe it’s just not enough. Focus on doing things that fuel your soul, your spirit. Things which aren’t just ‘work’, but also pleasure. Write what you love, and everything will fall into place from there.

3. What was your favourite part of 2025?

Did you connect with someone, exceed your word-count goals, start NaNoWriMo or do something beneficial for your community? These experiences richen your person, and your writing. Writing is all about including yourself in your characters, through little slivers.

4. What are your regrets about 2025?

Did you let time pass by, or you didn’t appreciate the little things enough? Did you sit on your phone instead of working on yourself, or talking to your family? Did you give up on your goals halfway through January?

Don’t do it again this year. If there is one thing you take away from this post, let it be this: live without regrets. Live life to the fullest. Do what you enjoy, not what others tell you to do. Quit social media for a month, or dedicate Sunday evenings to reading. Don’t miss out on the things you like! You want to read my blog post next year and think I don’t have as many regrets. So few.

Now, let’s look forward to 2026.

1. What is your number 1 goal?

Could be writing, could be personal, could be a promotion at work, or certain grades. This thing should be in your mind, whenever you make a decision on how to spend your time, think of your goal. What do you want to ac gf over this year? It doesn’t have to be big or impressive, you are just trying to beat you from 2025.

2. What would you do if you achieved your goal?

How would you feel, how would you react? Would it satisfy you? If not, well, think of a different goal. You’re looking to improve yourself. Where are you going in life? As a (presumably) young person, you have a lot to think about. Even if you aren’t, you should have a rough idea- at least for now- about where you want to go. Having a goal is generally helpful, but it should make you happy. If you despise pottery, don’t start it! If you love hockey but never tried it, do that!

3. How will you track your progress?

Will you have a journal, word counts, app or something else? I’ve heard of writing about your week on a piece of paper every week, and placing it in a jar to see how your year has been. Especially the positives, so you can see the amazing year you had.

Why will this year be important?

There is no point in changing if there’s no reason. No intention. Why do you want to take actionable steps to success? Why do you want to take care of yourself? A starting point can be your life goals, or a need to be your better self, or that you feel uncomfortable, or ready to be somewhere else in life.

Now, you don’t have to write New Year’s resolutions. Don’t commit to things you can’t, well, commit to. This is just for you. A ‘reason’ if you’re the type of person to look for one. Remember to look for support, and write! Write, write, write! This is the time to write!

Good luck, and happy New Year!

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