What if the relief we’ve all been waiting for isn’t coming?
For many of us, the past few years have felt like running a marathon in the dark. Uncertain, exhausting and sometimes lonely.
Since 2020, we’ve been waiting for something to change: for the world to settle, for life to feel normal again.
And now that 2026 approaches, the question lingers – Will this year be any better?
It can be. Just not by chance, by choice. Neuroscience explains why.
Every January, millions of us, (me included), set resolutions. I have always been a big fan of resolutions; I still am and will continue to do so!
The science shows why resolutions aren’t always achieved, it has to do with two things – 1) Our planning brain loves clarity; vague goals overload it and 2) Our emotional brain resists sudden change; it sees it as a threat.
That’s why most research shows that 80% of resolutions fail by February. Our brain doesn’t thrive on pressure; it thrives on progress.
What works instead – small, emotionally meaningful actions work best. Dopamine, our motivation chemical, spikes when we make progress, not just when we achieve.
An example. Instead of writing “I will get healthier,” try writing “Walk for 10 minutes after lunch three times a week and “Send one message of gratitude every Friday”.
These micro-goals build momentum, strengthen neural pathways and create lasting habits. And you get healthier.
If the past few years taught us anything, it’s that connection and adaptability matter more than control. The world will still throw us curveballs, yet we can train our brains to respond with resilience.
Here’s how to make resolutions effective:
Focus on what you can control – Your rituals, your positive mindset, your relationships.
Practice self-compassion – Replace self-criticism with curiosity, what can you do differently.
Celebrate progress, not perfection – Every small win rewires our brain for optimism.
2026 won’t magically erase challenges, but it can be the year we stop waiting for relief and start creating it.
Neuroscience reminds us: hope isn’t passive, it is built through action. Our brain is a practical thing!
This year let’s choose goals that engage our passion, habits that ground us to the moment and connections that lift us. Because the future isn’t something we find, it’s something we build, one neural pathway at a time.
Here’s my commitment for 2026 - I will focus on one small action each day that strengthens connection, a chat with someone different each day. Why? Because in a world that feels uncertain, human connection is the most certain thing we have.
What about you? What’s one small, meaningful action you’ll take in January to set the tone for your year?
Let’s talk!