Preparing for 2026: Rituals of Renewal
January has a different energy than December. While December invited reflection; January now demands the follow-through. I began a quiet intention at the end of last year to get stronger, more flexible and to have better mobility as I enter my, eh-hem, later 30s. But now that intention has turned into something far more serious — a commitment to strength, longevity, and presence for 2026.
Strength That Supports the Nervous System
One of the most impactful shifts I’ve made is prioritizing functional strength and mobility — not just for aesthetics, but for how my body actually works. In the fall right after my birthday, I experienced stiffness in my rotator cuff. It’s been unpleasant to say the least! But with the new RAW gym located right next door to our BICOM office, consistency has become effortless. There’s no commute excuse, no friction between intention and action.
What’s been especially valuable are the specialized machines designed to support joint health, nerve engagement, and controlled strength-building. I may not know every technical name, but I know how my body feels afterward: more stable, more supported, and far less reactive. This kind of training feels like an investment in the future version of myself — the one who wants to stay strong, capable, and independent for decades to come.
Returning to Practices That Center the Mind
Alongside strength, I’m making a conscious effort to return to yoga as a grounding practice. Movement that slows the nervous system has always been essential for me — not just physically, but mentally. Rejoining classes is about reconnecting to breath, posture, and awareness in a way that business, deadlines, and screens often pull me away from.
Yoga reminds me that clarity doesn’t come from pushing harder — it comes from alignment.
Intentions, Already at Work
What’s surprised me most is how quickly these choices are already paying off. I can feel the difference — in my energy, my posture, my resilience. The intentions I set are no longer abstract ideas; they’re showing up in real, tangible ways. That confirmation matters. It reinforces that preparation isn’t something you wait to feel “ready” for — it’s something you step into and let the results meet you there.
As I look toward 2026, I don’t feel rushed or scattered. I feel anchored. Stronger than ever. More intentional than ever. And deeply confident that the rituals I’m building now will carry me forward — with clarity, creativity, and strength that lasts.
