There’s something quietly hopeful about the very first day of a new year. Not in a fireworks-and-resolutions way, but in the sense that everything feels a little lighter, a little more open, and full of new possibilities.
It’s the one calendar flip that seems to give us permission to begin again, though gently and on our own terms. This time around with 2026, I’m not starting the new year with a grand manifesto or a dramatic reset, just a few thoughts I’ve been carrying with me and a sense of curiosity about what the next twelve months might hold.
One of the ‘thoughts’ I’ve been wanting to share for a while comes from something I read back in October — an article about what’s called the Empty Boat theory. It’s been circulating mostly via social media as a way to rethink how we react to everyday frustrations. The concept comes from an old Taoist parable: if a boat drifts into yours and you assume someone is steering it, irritation comes naturally. But when you realize the boat is empty, the reaction changes. There’s no one to blame. Nothing was personal. The situation just… happened.
That idea has stayed with me. Not so much as a rule to follow perfectly, but as a reminder to pause before assuming intention, especially in situations where frustration shows up first. The person in front of you in the checkout line is taking FOREVER to complete their purchase, or traffic is jamming up because one car is going at less than the speed limit, or the jeans you’re trying on in YOUR SIZE don’t seem to fit. None of them is a big deal on their own, but they’re exactly the kinds of friction that can unknowingly set the tone for your whole day. The Empty Boat theory feels like a useful mindset to carry into a new year — one that leaves a little more room for patience, perspective, and letting go of what doesn’t actually need to weigh me down.
That’s part of the headspace I’m starting 2026 with — and it also connects nicely to something new I’ve been working on behind the scenes. Next week, I’ll be kicking off a 26 in 2026 series. It’s not a resolutions list or a personal reboot, just a collection of things I’m finally getting around to doing — projects, ideas, small changes, and long-standing “one of these days” plans that I think I’m finally ready to tackle. Wish me luck!
Moving forward doesn’t happen without awareness of what has transpired in the past. Take today’s outfit, for instance. The striped shirt and leather jacket both come from my winter collection. And while both are certainly favorite pieces that have been getting a lot of rotation lately, the real story here is in the details I’ve been wearing much longer.
Each time I put on a pair of combat boots, I’m taken straight back to 2015, when I wrote Giving Age Appropriateness the Boot after buying my first pair and questioning all the silly rules about what women “should” or “shouldn’t” wear at a certain stage of life. Ten years later, I’m still reaching for the same style of boot with the same sense of satisfaction; not because I’m making a statement, but because it simply feels like me.
And then there are these jeans. Purchased likely in 2017 or 2018, I wore this same pair back in November 2020 for Retirement: Do’s And Don’ts styled with a similar mix of casual structure and comfort. I couldn’t have known at the time how much this season of life would shape the way I get dressed now — practical, unfussy, and centered around pieces that earn their place by being worn, not just admired.
Which feels like a fitting way to begin the new year: familiar pieces, steady favorites, and a style story that keeps evolving without needing a dramatic rewrite. In other areas of my life, I’m less focused on making big declarations and more interested in paying attention to what’s already working — the ideas I want to hold onto, the projects I’m finally ready to tackle, and the pieces in my closet that keep proving their worth. It feels like a steady, manageable way to start 2026: aware of where I am, clear about what’s next, and open to how it all unfolds.
As you step into 2026, are you seeking out big change — or are you content to stay with more of what already feels right?
Stay well and let’s keep in touch! Subscribe, follow, friend, pin … all options are available. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
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Photo credit: MMPerez
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2 Comments
One of the gifts that I give to others, and mostly myself, is what I call “positive assumption.” I presume the best until proven the worst, which is rare. Here’s to a wonderful 2026! Life is good. I live by the beach with my husband of 50 years. My four adult children, and their families, like to be around us, and my wonderful little red haired dog brings me comfort from loneliness and anxiety.
I love that Empty Boat idea. I think it’s something I’ve done for years. Instead of getting angry, I come up with a story for why something is happening. The guy speeding past me somewhat dangerously? He’s on his way to the hospital with (or without) his wife who is about to give birth. It distracts me from the thought that I need to be somewhere fast. And, it doesn’t create a mindset of someone is doing something to me on purpose.
I don’t really follow trends so I’ll be wearing my combat boots, colorful boots, booties, etc until they wear out! I sometimes still catch myself wondering if I’m too something or other to wear a certain garment or footwear. Then, I remind myself there are no rules for me other than those I make for myself.
Happy New Year to you and yours, Rena!
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