entry 027 / my ins and outs for 2026 🌷🌞

i feel like every year there’s this unspoken expectation that january 1st is supposed to flip some switch. suddenly you’re more disciplined, more productive, more confident, and everything feels clear. and maybe that works for some people, but for me it usually just creates pressure i didn’t ask for. pressure to change fast, to do everything at once, and to act like i'm suddenly living the picture perfect life.

going into 2026, i don’t want a complete reset. i don’t want to abandon everything i was working toward just because i wasn’t perfect at it. this year feels more like a continuation than a restart. taking what worked, being honest about what didn’t, and adjusting without turning it into a whole identity crisis.

i’ve realized a lot of my stress comes from trying to do too much at the same time or expecting myself to operate at 100% every day. that’s not realistic, and it’s not sustainable. so instead of chasing some ideal version of myself, i want to focus on showing up more consistently in the version i already am, even when things feel slow or uncomfortable.

this list isn’t about trends or aesthetics. it’s just a way of putting words to what i want more of and what i’m actively trying to leave behind as i move through 2026.

---

ins

• starting again without making it a big deal

  • falling off a routine doesn’t mean it failed. it just means i stopped and can start again. i want to stop treating restarts like proof that i’m bad at consistency.

• doing things before i feel ready

  • most of the things i put off aren’t because i can’t do them, it’s because i’m overthinking. emailing someone, posting something, applying for something. 2026 is about doing it anyway.

• having structure that works for me

  • to-do lists, calendars, routines help, but only when i don’t turn them into a punishment. structure should make life easier, not more stressful.

• creating without constantly checking numbers

  • still caring, but not letting metrics decide whether something was worth making. focusing more on whether i liked the process than how it performed.

• consuming media intentionally

  • watching, reading, and scrolling with some awareness instead of letting hours disappear. choosing content that actually inspires me or teaches me something instead of defaulting to whatever keeps me stuck on my phone.

• taking care of the basics

  • sleep, water, movement, eating real food. not in a “new lifestyle” way, just in a “my body works better when i don’t ignore it” way.

• being more honest about where i’m at

  • not pretending i’m fine when i’m overwhelmed, and not pretending i’m overwhelmed when i’m actually just procrastinating. being real with myself first.

    
    

---

outs

• all-or-nothing thinking

  • one unproductive day doesn’t cancel out progress. missing a habit doesn’t mean i should give up on it completely.

• waiting for motivation

  • motivation usually shows up after i start, not before. sitting around waiting for it just wastes time.

• doom scrolling

  • mindlessly scrolling because i’m bored, stressed, or avoiding something. closing the app instead of telling myself “just five more minutes” and losing an hour.

• over-consuming instead of doing

  • saving posts, watching productivity videos, and planning instead of actually doing the thing.

• comparing timelines

  • someone else moving faster doesn’t mean i’m behind. everyone’s working with different circumstances, and comparison just makes everything harder.

• being unnecessarily hard on myself

  • there’s a difference between accountability and constantly tearing yourself down. i want to improve without making myself miserable.

    
    

---

this year, i’m choosing to stay focused on where i’m going instead of what everyone else is doing. i want to keep ascending in small, steady ways, trusting that progress doesn’t have to be loud to be real.

here's to all of us reaching our goals and making this year our best one yet :)

sincerely,

studybutterfly 🦋✨