Setting Intentional Goals for the New Year
We’ve all heard the familiar goals: lose the weight, eat better, work out more, keep the house perfectly clean, save more money. The list feels endless. But as we move into 2026, maybe this is our invitation to pause. Instead of chasing goals that leave us feeling pressured or behind, we can choose something softer. We can be intentional. We can set goals that fit the rhythm of our real lives and create routines that feel supportive, sustainable, and even comforting. This year doesn’t have to be about doing more; it can be about living well, in ways that truly feel like us.
These are the goals I’m choosing for 2026, small changes that have already made a meaningful difference:
Go to bed with a clean kitchen
This has been such an achievable goal that leaves me feeling inspired and motivated when I wake up in the morning. It can feel really hard to start your day on a good note when all your mugs are dirty, and there’s crumbs everywhere (I speak from experience). When you wake up with a clean kitchen, you are so much more motivated to make a healthy breakfast or to make your coffee at home. Look at that! You’re eating healthier AND saving money all because you took an extra 10-20 minutes to keep the heart of your home tidy! This has truly been one of the best resolutions I’ve ever had.
Do more puzzles
I forgot how much I love puzzles! This started over Christmas, and I’ve been doing puzzles ever since. This has helped me so much with being more present, spending quality time with family, and lowering my screen time. It’s also been such a great way to unwind when the day is over instead of watching TV every night. Take that old puzzle out of the closet and get going!
Make your bed every day
This is the same kind of idea as going to bed with a clean kitchen every night. It’s a simple act that takes only a few minutes, yet it brings a quiet sense of peace into your space. Waking up to a made bed and walking into a clean kitchen doesn’t mean life is suddenly perfect, but it does mean you’ve given yourself a small, thoughtful gift. These little rituals create breathing room in our days. They remind us that care doesn’t have to be complicated, and that sometimes the most meaningful changes are the ones that gently support us, day after day.
Get those 10,000 steps
Okay, don’t hate me—but maybe just aim for 10,000 steps. You’re not lazy or less worthy if you don’t hit that number; it’s simply a soft target, something to move toward rather than measure yourself against. Walking is one of the kindest forms of movement, for both your body and your mind. Bring the kids, the whole family, the dog… or yes, even the cat. Invite a friend, or slip on your headphones and enjoy the quiet of going solo. It’s beautifully customizable, easy to fit into real life, and often becomes a habit that gently supports so many other goals along the way.
These are simply the goals that have been working for me so far. They don’t need to be yours, and they certainly aren’t a blueprint for a perfect life. Take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and allow yourself the freedom to choose what feels supportive in your own season. There is so much beauty in the small, everyday moments, the routines that steady us, the habits that quietly care for us. This is where the Golden Ordinary lives, and it’s more than enough.