WELCOMING THE NEW YEAR WITH INTENTION AND GRACE
Dr. Linda Hancock
As the calendar turns and another year comes to a close, many people feel the familiar pull toward resolutions. We promise ourselves we’ll eat better, lose weight, save money, get organized, or finally break an old habit. The intentions are sincere, but often the pressure of “fixing” ourselves becomes overwhelming. Within a few weeks, motivation fades, guilt creeps in, and we feel as though we’ve failed before the year has truly begun.
What if this New Year, instead of trying to force change, we leaned into something gentler, wiser, and far more effective: intention?
An intention is not a rule, a restriction, or a rigid plan. It’s a direction. A quality we choose to bring into our days. A way of being that supports our growth rather than punishes our imperfections. Intentions don’t demand perfection — it encourages awareness.
For 2026, I invite you to choose one intention that captures how you want to feel, live, or show up in the world. Not ten things. Not a list as long as your arm. Just one guiding principle that you can return to throughout the year.
Maybe your intention is patience — with yourself, with others, with the pace of life.
Maybe it’s courage — to try something new, speak up for yourself, or make a difficult decision.
Perhaps it’s connection — nurturing relationships that matter and letting go of those that drain you. Or maybe this is the year of simplicity — clearing out what no longer serves you and making space for what does.
Maybe it’s courage — to try something new, speak up for yourself, or make a difficult decision.
Perhaps it’s connection — nurturing relationships that matter and letting go of those that drain you. Or maybe this is the year of simplicity — clearing out what no longer serves you and making space for what does.
When we choose one clear intention, something remarkable happens: instead of chasing dozens of goals, we begin making choices that naturally align with the way we want to live. Small decisions — how we speak, what we prioritize, how we respond — begin to shift almost effortlessly.
Change becomes something we grow into, not something we fight for.
Another powerful way to begin the year is to acknowledge what the previous one taught you. Every challenge you faced, every accomplishment you achieved, every moment you survived has shaped you into someone wiser and more resilient. Honour that. You don’t need to erase the past to make room for the future; you simply need to carry forward the lessons that matter.
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As midnight approaches and the countdown begins, try this gentle ritual: place your hand on your heart, take a slow breath, and ask yourself, “What quality do I want to bring with me into the new year?” Let the answer arise naturally. There is no wrong choice. Whatever comes forward is exactly what you need.
May the year ahead bring you clarity, peaceful moments, meaningful connections, and a renewed sense of purpose. And may your chosen intention guide you with quiet strength through all the joys and challenges to come.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Dr. Linda Hancock, the author of “Life is An Adventure…every step of the way” and “Open for Business Success” is a Registered Psychologist who has a private practice. Visit www.LindaHancock.com or email her at office@drlindahancock.com.