The Ones Worth Carrying Forward
“The goal is not to do more. The goal is to do what matters.”
– Greg McKeown
A new year always brings that subtle pressure to “start fresh,” but most of us don’t start anything fresh—we start from where we left off. And sometimes where we left off is messy, complicated, or heavy.
This isn’t a bad thing; it’s just honest.
We don’t shed old patterns the moment the calendar resets. We stay attached to what we know, even when we know it’s weighing us down.
There are things we carry into the new year not because they help us grow, but because they’ve become familiar. They feel like home base, even when home base is uncomfortable.
It’s the job we’ve outgrown but are scared to leave, the responsibilities we take on because “no one else will,” the relationships we maintain because we don’t want to hurt anyone, and the beliefs we’ve absorbed so deeply that they feel like truth.
Letting go isn’t always about strength; sometimes, it’s about timing—and honesty.
By now, the initial excitement of January is settling. But before we add a ton of new habits, commitments, or resolutions, it’s worth asking a simple question: What habits from last year are worth keeping?
Not everything from 2025 deserves to be left behind. Some habits, small or big, were quietly making life smoother, keeping you grounded, or helping your relationships—at home, at work, at school. These are the habits worth carrying forward.
It’s tempting to think a new year means we must overhaul everything. But that mindset often backfires. Sweeping changes can overwhelm, burn us out, or make us abandon even the most useful routines.
Instead, real progress comes from recognizing what actually helped.
Did you set aside 10 minutes a day to connect with your child or students? Keep it.
Did you set boundaries around your email or meetings and it reduced stress? Keep it.
Did you notice moments when pausing before reacting prevented conflict? Keep that, too.
These aren’t flashy habits. They’re the ones that quietly held your year together—and they’re worth reinforcing before adding anything new.
Three Questions to Ask Yourself Before Carrying Anything into 2026
1. Identify the core helpers.
Take a moment to list three habits from last year that genuinely supported you, your family, or your students.
Ask yourself: Did this help me feel more grounded, calm, or connected?
2. Anchor them in your schedule.
Make space for these habits before adding anything new. Small, consistent repetition is stronger than occasional bursts of “good intentions.”
3. Build on them, not around them.
Rather than starting completely new routines, attach new intentions to the habits that already work.
Example: if journaling each morning helped you reflect, add one line about your goals for the day—don’t force a whole new journaling system.
4. Protect them from unnecessary pressure.
Helpful habits aren’t meant to become stressors. Adjust timing, scale, or intensity to make them sustainable.
5. Celebrate consistency, not perfection.
Even partial adherence to a helpful habit is progress. Acknowledge small wins—they add up over time
Not every habit from last year will make sense this year—and that’s okay.
But the ones that do? They are your foundation. They are the quiet anchors that let you carry forward without starting from zero.
Before you chase new ideas, new trends, or “better” routines, give yourself credit for what already worked. Keep it. Protect it. Strengthen it.
This is not about perfection.
It’s about honoring what helped you show up better last year—and starting 2026 with a realistic, grounded head start.
To support this week’s post, there’s a free tool designed to help you look at your habits with honesty instead of pressure. If you’re tired of carrying routines just because they’re familiar, this guide helps you sort what truly supports you — and what’s okay to leave behind.
👉 Download the free guide and take a few minutes to check in with yourself.
If you also missed the previous series about Wintering and maybe reread the series with fresh eyes—you’re welcome to start here or you can start from the beginning of this series.
👉 Read the first part of Wintering blog
You don’t have to rush into the new year.
You just have to notice what feels true—and take the step that fits the season you’re in.
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