A Bright and Bold New Year!
Here we are again on the precipice of a new year, if you are one of the fortunate people who get to see it. Not everyone has the opportunity to start fresh on January first. I lost one of my dear friends last year to ALS, and I think of her now as I get the honor and privilege to plan for another year. She was a bright and bold individual who faced her disease with grace and dignity. ALS slowly and viciously robs you of your abilities. She was the bravest person I have ever met, and she will not have the opportunity to see 2026. Her family has to face everything without her. In her honor, I write this blog to challenge myself and all of you to think of this new year differently and savor the opportunity to live brightly and boldly, no matter your circumstances.
Now, let's consider what it means to be bold.
The dictionary definition: "Fearless and daring; brave and courageous; unduly forward and brazen." If I could embody these traits, what might I accomplish next year?
To become bolder, we first have to acknowledge what we carry from the past. Awareness creates clarity and allows us to let go. What happened last year that challenged you? What did you learn? What do you want to release, and what changes do you want to make? Last year was simply a time that shaped you. My friend's passing taught me patience and perseverance. I will always remember her bravery. If you acknowledge your past and let it go, you make room for the person you want to become—for possibilities.
A second step towards creating a bold new year might be setting some boundaries around your time. Saying “no’ when you want to say no without over-explaining yourself or making excuses. Boldly stepping up and asking for help when you feel the need. Prioritizing your physical and mental health. Asking for or hiring help is not a weakness; it is self-protection and self-care, and it allows you to accelerate your personal growth.
Turning to the idea of brightness, how do we create more of it in our lives?
Creating a brighter new year means focusing on the light ahead. Imagine your future as full of possibilities, without limitation. Feeling more optimistic and lighter frees your mind to dream bigger and plan without fear of failure. Ask yourself how you want to feel in 2026. What do you want to create for yourself—not just achieve? Achievement brings satisfaction, but always striving produces anxiety. Redirect ambition toward cultivating better feelings: calm in place of anxiety, confidence in place of self-doubt. These are goals that lead to true success. Satisfaction, worthiness, and fulfillment—that is brightness.
With these themes in mind, how can we start making progress?
Choose a word/theme for this year. Mine is appreciation. I want to live this year in true appreciation for all of my blessings. After watching my friend die, I know that each minute I have is a gift, and I want to live up to that. What is the word or theme that you want to live into?
Once you have your theme, identify what boundary could make it possible. Can you limit distractions or reduce work hours to spend more time on yourself? Consider coaching or therapy, or return to nature. It need not be a huge change—incremental shifts can build lasting transformation if you focus on what you want to create.
Commit to a growth practice, whether it is journaling, coaching, therapy, gratitude, meditation, prayer, reading, or more sleep. Any practice that gives you space to be more of yourself and less distracted, anxious, and overwhelmed. Small changes can lead to big results. If you promise to journal daily and do it only three days, three is better than zero. Check in with yourself weekly to notice progress and focus on consistent effort over perfection. Starting each day again with intention leads to true growth and change.
As you face the new year, remember: you are not broken or behind. You are not failing. You are a remarkable, worthy individual with many gifts for the world. This year can be bolder and brighter, not harder. By forging a renewed relationship with yourself, your family, and your work, you may still meet challenges, but you will value your life more and all its blessings.
Have a bold and bright new year - just take one small step at a time in honor of my dear friend.
Julie
“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.