2026 Goals

2026 Goals: Fewer Lists, Clearer Focus

For a long time, I’ve been someone who documents everything: monthly goals, resets, recaps, intentions. Sometimes that structure helps. Other times, it becomes noise.

Going into 2026, I realized I don’t need more goals. I need fewer ones that actually carry me through the year.

So this year looks different. I’ve stepped away from my monthly goal posts — not necessarily forever, but for now. Instead of constantly recalibrating, I’m narrowing my focus to a small set of priorities for the entire year and letting them do the heavy lifting. I’ll likely check in quarterly here rather than monthly, giving myself room to build momentum instead of restarting over and over. 

Here they are!

Health

Goal: Lose 78 pounds

How I’m working toward it:

• Continuing to cut back on sugar
• Focusing on smaller portions and finishing when I'm full
• Start running back up when weather permits
• Letting progress be steady instead of rushed

I’m not trying to optimize every habit. I’m sticking with the behaviors that actually move the needle.

Running

Goals: 

• Go for 80 runs
• Complete 3 races

How I’m working toward it:

• Easing back in after time off
• Running consistently when conditions allow (ideally 2–3 times a week)
• Finding races to keep motivated
• Letting missed weeks happen without turning them into quitting

No pace goals. No mileage targets. Just showing up and following through.

Money

Goals:

• Pay off credit cards completely (3 total)
• Increase savings by $2,000
• Raise my credit score to 760

How I’m working toward it:

• Paying more than the minimum each month
• Using a snowball approach, moving from smallest to largest debt
• Prioritizing credit card payoff in the first half of the year
• Not using credit cards at all
• Keeping my savings goal intentionally less aggressive while I focus on eliminating debt first

The plan isn’t flashy, but it’s deliberate: clear the cards first, then shift focus forward.

Reading

Goals: 

• Read 100 books
• Complete at least 3 series
• Finish reading Freida McFadden's backlist (18/31 so far)
• Finish reading Noelle Ihli's backlist (3/8 read so far)

How I’m working toward it:

• Less scrolling, more reading
• Being more intentional with my downtime
• Completing older series I’ve been sitting on
• Finding more small pockets of time to read: lunch breaks, before work, etc.

Series I want to prioritize finishing:

• The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
• Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
• Birthright by Gabrielle Zevin

In 2025, I focused on catching up on bestsellers. In 2026, I’m focusing on series, specific authors, and finishing what I start.

Blogging

Goals:

• Publish 100 new posts (ideally, 2 per week)
• Publish 50 One Minute Memoirs (ideally, 1 per week)

How I’m working toward it:

• Sticking to formats and blog series that already work for me
• Writing, scheduling, and planning posts ahead when possible
• Keeping the focus on consistency and follow-through
• Publishing posts even when they're not my standard of "perfect"

How I’m Starting the Year

On January 1, I documented all my starting numbers on various spreadsheets — weight, finances, books, and more — simply as a baseline. Not as judgment. Just context. I'll update those monthly to keep track and measure progress.

From there, I’m trusting this narrower set of goals to carry me through the year, one step at a time.

This year isn’t about doing everything. It’s about doing a few things well, staying with them long enough to see change, and trusting that consistency counts.