It’s Okay If All You Did This Year Was Survive

As we approach the new year and everyone starts to share their reflections on 2025 and their goals for 2026, I wanted to share some thoughts.

To those who have had a difficult year…

Despite this year breaking you in ways you never saw coming. Despite pain so raw you weren’t sure you would survive it. Despite feeling so lost, so broken, and so out of control in your own mind...

You still put one foot in front of the other. You woke up each day. You fought harder than you ever have. You stayed. You survived.

This year doesn’t have to be one for the memory bank. You don’t have to have ticked off a list of dream goals. It’s okay if you didn’t achieve what you’d hoped for. It’s okay if the year brought more pain than joy. You got through it. That is enough of an achievement.

And now you’re here - standing at the cusp of a new year. This chapter is coming to a close, and I hope you can breathe a little easier knowing that the past is behind you.

If the idea of a new year feels daunting, remember: it’s only ever one day at a time. You don’t need big goals. You don’t need to reinvent yourself. You don’t need to strive for anything. It’s okay to just be. To let yourself feel and to simply exist. Take each day as it comes, and just see what happens as the year slowly unfolds. Surviving was enough. It still is.

New Year Reminders

Everywhere online, people are sharing their goals for 2026.

I want you to remember that you don’t need a ‘new you’. You don’t need to have all your goals figured out or a list of resolutions to stick to.

Surviving is enough. Taking things one day at a time is enough. Resting and allowing yourself to just be is enough.

You can ‘start again’ or set a new goal any time you choose - January 1st is not your only chance.

So, let go of the pressure and expectations, take a deep breath, and be gentle with yourself.

Perhaps our only goal for 2026 should be gentleness - with ourselves and with others. I think the world would be a better place if we all strove for that.

Wishing you a very happy new year.

All my love, Emily x

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