A Blueprint for Your Best Year Yet

From love to finances, move beyond resolutions and enter 2026 with peace—and a clear plan

- By Stephanie Long

When the holiday buzz fades, many of us will feel the pull to reset, realign and recenter before stepping into a new year. But this guide isn't a checklist of “resolutions” destined to fizzle out by spring. It’s about honoring where you are—which requires that you clear space and start the year strong, with clarity and strategy. Read on for how to prepare for 2026 in ways that will have you feeling grounded and purposeful. Here are insights from experts in love, health and wellness, and finance—the areas we most often seek to improve as January 1 rolls around.

LOVE IN THE NEW YEAR

Start 2026 by shifting your perspective on amour, viewing it not as a problem to be fixed but as a sacred practice of clarity, self-awareness and openness. Whether you're single, healing or partnered, this clarity can transform how you connect with yourself and others.

Expert Insight: Shan Boodram, Relationships Expert, Bumble

Prepare for rocky times, Boodram says. “When it comes to managing major life crises and loss, our first line of defense is our intimate relationships,” she notes. “Especially given the uncertain times we are in, to have not just ‘if’ but ‘when’ conversations is essential. For example, ‘When there are financial shifts, what are we going to do? When there is a loss that’s painful to one or both of us, how can we support one another?’”

For those looking for companions to have those types of conversations with, she says it’s important to leave space for magic when setting intentions. “Rather than a too-specific goal for the year, try something more whimsical, like, ‘I want this year to bring me a romantic partner who shows me how great life can be,’ or ‘I want our connection to reach depths I didn't even know were possible.’”

Mindset Shift: Approach Love Differently