Making Space for Joy in 2026

I’ve been thinking a lot about New Year’s resolutions and all of the things I'm hoping for in 2026. And it made me realize that in order to make room for new things, I need to let go of others first. In the past, my friends and I would choose a word for the new year, and in looking back at this tradition, I realized that I may have been missing something.

It’s one thing to hope for change, but it’s another to make space for something new by healing or letting something else go. So here I am, sitting at the table, trying to review this year and working to focus on what I want to shift and create for myself and my family in 2026.

As I move into my 49th year of life, I’m realizing what all the hype is about with getting older. It really is a new phase of living your life for yourself—and it feels like a mind-blowing thought! I’m really asking myself, “Who is Allison?” Away from being a mom, a wife, a business owner, a daughter, a sister, and a friend—what or who do I have left? Who’s this person, and how can I start to live more for her?

It makes me rewind the clock all the way back to when I was a child, with not a care in the world other than my own happiness. What would that younger Allison tell me as advice? How would she tell me to live my life to the fullest?

I think she’d tell me to laugh more and stress less. And she’d tell me that I’m perfect in every way, just as I am, because of all the love and joy that surrounds me every day—like enjoying moments in meditation, warm hugs from my kids, and the deep support of my family and my team. She would whisper that I don’t dance enough or sing loudly enough, and she would remind me that my favorite pastime is to draw or paint just because, with no goal in mind.

She would say it’s okay that I love being around animals, and that smiling at kids or random strangers is because my passion for life just overflows from me sometimes. And she’d remind me of what joy really feels like in my body, mind, and spirit.

Every moment I live doesn’t need to be fueled by striving to hit a goal every time. I can just show up and be me… on a Monday meeting with my team with no agenda, on a trip with my family with no plans or reservations… all I need to do is show up and be me.

So that’s what I’m making room for—to let go of the preconceived habits, thoughts, and programming that “striving” has created. To not worry about what other people are thinking about me—if they’re judging me, expecting more from me, or if people are blaming me or praising me. I’m not defined by any of this…

It’s only about the peace I feel, the joy that fills me up, and the love that's always there, surrounding me. And if I can make the space to let go of all of the fears, shame, and questioning that usually fill my mind, maybe I can truly make space for more joy, more love, and more light in my life.

To live this life for me… through all of the small moments, the hugs, the smiles, the laughter, and the joy I feel. Maybe through living in joy and light, I can truly share that with you too.

Wishing you and your family an amazing 2026 filled with so much love and light.

—Allison