Do It for the Plot: Why I Don’t Do New Year’s Resolutions (and What I Do Instead)

I’ve never really been into New Year’s resolutions.

The whole new year, new you energy- goals, pressure, aggressive self-improvement, has never worked for me. For me, it’s looked like a diet that lasts a few weeks, an exercise regimen that’s way too intense and burns me out, or a new hobby I abandon because I feel bad at it almost immediately. Not exactly uplifting.

And honestly… why do we need a new year to start something new?

Instead of resolutions, I’ve been focusing on themes which I find to be gentler, more spacious intentions that tend to take shape around the new year. Themes give me room to explore how something is already unfolding in my life, or how I’d like it to unfold, without the pressure to get it “right.”

I usually pair my theme with some kind of creative expression like a vision board, a painting, an art piece, and every time, I’m amazed when I look back at the end of the year and see just how much actually shifted.

One year, my theme was mind, spirit, and body.

At the time, I’d been deeply immersed in mental health work and spiritual exploration, but I’d disconnected from my body. That year, I was diagnosed with insulin resistance, my hormones were completely out of balance, and my body was asking (loudly) to be included.

What followed was one of the most meaningful chapters of embodiment in my life. I learned how to reconnect with my body: not through control or punishment, but through listening, care, and curiosity. That year laid the foundation for a more holistic relationship with myself, one that felt sustainable, loving, and deeply rooted.

Last year, my theme was purpose, presence, and play.

And wow- did I live it.

Purpose looked like pursuing my psilocybin facilitator’s license.Presence meant a five-day solo vision quest. Play showed up through creativity, painting more freely, saying yes to adventures, and letting myself try new things just for the joy of it.

So… what about 2026?

I went back and forth on this one. I wanted something short, memorable and something I could put on my wall and feel in my body. At first, I thought it might be something like taking flight. And in many ways, I am. But it didn’t quite land.

Then this morning, while standing at the edge of the Puget Sound talking myself into a polar plunge, I said out loud:

“Just do it for the plot.”

And there it was.

That’s my theme for 2026: Do It for the Plot.

The last several years of my life have been about deep, often intense healing. Excavation. Examination. Unpacking inherited beliefs: societal, familial, generational, that were never actually mine. Stepping into my own authenticity. Redefining what it means to live a life that feels true.

This year isn’t about uncovering more.

It’s about embodying what I already know.

Owning it. Living it. Trusting myself without constant second-guessing or fear-based decision-making. Choosing alignment, joy, and authenticity, even when it feels bold or uncomfortable.

This year is about:

• Stepping onto my path without hesitation

• Being clear and intentional

• Staying grounded, embodied, and strong

• Welcoming rejection without letting it stop me

• Choosing adventure, boldness, and fun

• Living in integrity, unapologetically

• Carrying my wisdom with confidence and heart

I’m not shrinking.I’m not waiting for permission.And I’m no longer afraid to be the main character in my own story.

This year, I’m doing it for the plot.

What’s your theme?