A Fresh start Without the Noise
I know a lot of people think horoscopes are a bunch of hoopla. I’m supposed to be entering my Villain Era in 2026. I’ve heard that term and like most things pop culture, I ignored it. If you don’t know what it means, it’s a self-focused phase of personal growth, involving setting firm boundaries and prioritizing self-care. Before I read my horoscope, I had already decided that I was getting back to “me” in 2026. I’ve decided to stop organizing my time, energy, and body around work demands and social expectations — and to start taking myself seriously again.
Over the last couple of years, my focus slowly shifted outward. Work took priority. Schedules filled up. When stressed, I ate my feelings. I gained weight — not all at once, but gradually — and while that alone isn’t a moral failing, it was a signal. Not that something was “wrong,” but that important things had been deprioritized.
This year, I’m not chasing intensity or perfection. I’m choosing alignment.
Redefining Work Without Burning Out
I love accomplishing things. If I resolve issues or complete tasks, I feel like my time is valuable. If I am responsive and solve problems for others, I feel like I’ve made a difference. But over time, that mindset has hurt me.
The truth is, burnout doesn’t usually come from working hard. It comes from working without boundaries, without clarity, and without asking whether the effort actually matches what matters most. I think we get into this habit assuming our coworkers know what standards we’ve placed on ourselves when their standards are usually lower.
This year, I’m asking more questions before acting or reacting: How is what I’m being asked to do fitting into the bigger picture? Is it urgent? Is my time being respected? Are my efforts being valued? I’m being more intentional about how I spend my time at work. Not as a form of restriction, but as a form of respect for myself. Just because I can do more doesn’t mean I should.
Putting My Health Back on the List
Over the last two years, I gained weight as my attention shifted almost entirely to work and associated obligations (i.e., networking) – and then it became easy to think, “Well, I wasn’t on point at lunch, a bowl of cereal isn’t going to put me over the edge.” While my heart health, strength, and flexibility matter — they truly do — I’m also honest enough to say that I want to change my body composition.
I want to continue getting stronger and moving faster. I want my clothes to fit differently. I want to recognize myself again — not out of shame, but out of ownership. I’ve felt like I’ve let life and external pressures happen to me, and I want to change that.
Caring about how my body looks doesn’t cancel out caring about my health. The two are connected. Strength, consistency, and intentional movement matter to me. So does the discipline of showing up for myself, even when no one else is watching.
This isn’t about punishment or extremes. It’s about responsibility. About choosing to invest in my body the same way I’ve invested in my career — steadily, thoughtfully, and without apology.
Gentle Restarts That Actually Stick
Dramatic resets don’t last. They create momentum for a few weeks, then collapse under real life.
I live by my calendar, the Reminders app, my Microsoft to-do list. I am full steam ahead from 5 am until 8:30 am Monday through Friday (wake up, workout, get ready, commute). What works for me is setting time blocks on my calendar for self-care. I have one for “lunch” and I stick to it. But I recognized this past year that I need to block out time from 8:30 – 9 am to reflect on my health habits (sleep quality, hydration intake, energy and mood levels) and set my day. I’m also setting a reminder to take my dog on a walk! I can give him 10 minutes out of my day.
Letting Go of What Other People Think
One of the biggest energy drains in my life wasn’t work or fitness — it was perception. The quiet pressure to be impressive (at work), available (at work and socially), or unfailingly put together. I don’t know if pressure is the right word, but I do think it goes back to self-imposed standards. Will my friends still be my friends if I don’t have alcohol when we meet up? Will I still have friends if I decline invitations? Do people care about the work I do?
This year, I’m practicing something new: not explaining myself.
I’m not downplaying my goals. I’m not softening my decisions to make them easier for others to understand. I’m not justifying my boundaries. The fresh energy I’ve been looking for doesn’t come from doing more — it comes from trusting myself enough to choose differently.
The most powerful reset I’ve made isn’t a routine or a schedule. It’s deciding that my life doesn’t need to be negotiated or defended.
A Reset That Feels Like Mine
This year isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about returning to the version of myself that feels strong, clear, and grounded — the one who understands that taking care of herself isn’t selfish, indulgent, or optional.
I’m not chasing a perfect plan or a dramatic transformation. I’m choosing consistency. I’m choosing intention. And I’m choosing to put myself back on the list — not someday, not eventually, but now.
Read more by Alexis here.
