I spent about ten minutes today wondering what I should do with a half-used stack of notecards that I haven’t looked at in four years. They’ve been sitting on my bookshelf collecting dust, and every time I’ve thought about tossing them, the same thought comes up: what if.

And it’s that thought — what if — that keeps us stuck right where we are.

In decluttering, it stops all progress. What if I need this later?
In personal growth, it shows up as anxiety or fear. What if they judge me?
And in cleaning, it sends us down rabbit holes — like Googling whether olive oil really belongs in a vinegar and water mixture for dusting.

Before we know it, time has passed and not much has been done.

We tell ourselves we’ll get back to it tomorrow. We’ll do it later. We’ll make sure that next time we’re fully prepared. But all of that just prolongs the journey.

So, to keep myself moving forward, I decided to make a list of five things I’m committing to in 2026.

1. I will do things messy.
Not messy as in not trying, but messy as in understanding that sometimes getting something done now is better than getting it done perfectly.

2. I will write down one thing I’m grateful for each day.
As much as I love journal prompts, my thoughts live in several journals scattered throughout my car, house, and workspace. I love to write — I’m just not the most organized about it. So however you want to journal, please do. (And yes, see number one.)

3. I will set a five-minute timer for meditation or contemplation a few times a week.
Over the years, I’ve learned that five minutes a few times a week is better than one hour once a week. A little is better than nothing, and bite-sized pieces are easier to return to. Most of the time, once those five minutes pass, I end up sitting longer. And if I don’t, I still kept my promise to myself — and that counts.

4. I will remember that all things in this world fade.
And because of that, I’ll try to cherish who and what I have right now. I won’t be dyeing my hair anytime soon, but recently I noticed just how much my face has changed — and yet, I feel exactly the same. Yoga philosophy teaches us that we are not the body and not the mind. We are the soul. Everything outside of us will change and fade, but who we truly are remains. With that in mind, there’s no real need to hold onto notecards that will never be used. The money has already been spent. Now they’re just taking up space. It’s okay to let things go — to clear your mind and give your heart a little room to breathe.

5. I will keep moving forward.
Each day, let’s try to bring a little happiness into our own lives and into the lives of others. Time doesn’t stop for anyone, so let’s take the step — even if it’s small.

No matter what your goals are for this new year, I hope there’s something here that helps you keep moving forward, too.