It’s always good to start a new year with new thoughts, goals, and words.

My new thoughts: I’m not old; I’m just lucky to be here still and able to connect the dots between the past and present, and to forgive myself for never going anywhere without forgetting something. Shift thoughts—isn’t that what I always tell you? Of course, it’s easier said than done. I also want to remember Sophia Loren’s advice on maintaining vitality: “Good posture and don’t make old people noises when you stand up.”

My 2026 goals: Stay positive, look for opportunities to laugh, be myself, and keep on keeping on. I should make a goal to make more phone calls. For some reason, I don’t like to call people. I like people and getting calls, but I have a long list of people I want to call and never get it done. It’s a flaw. Every year, I set a goal to make more artwork, but year after year, the only drawing or painting I do is my Christmas card. To produce more art, I need to set a secondary goal: everything on my to-do list does not need to be checked off before I can start an art project.

As for a new word:

I saw it just today, involution. Simply, it means burned out. What I know is, we don’t want to start the year with involution. That would lead to the evolution of more convolutions ending with self-revolution. That’s not a good idea. Burnout is an old term, but it is genuine today. I can get burned out, and I don’t do much. I watch young people in the prime of life (which I consider to be their 50’s and 60’s) and wonder how they do it. Then I remember I did it too, so I’m happy for them. The issue with burnout is recovery. To run at full speed and then stop on a dime is a clear path to involution and not advisable for good mental health. That magic word, balance, is relevant again. If we have balance in what we think, say, and do, we significantly reduce our chances of involution—burnout.

I invite you to create new thoughts, goals, and words as you join me in starting this new year. For my own self-esteem, I will for sure succeed at Dry January, and if any of you want to team up, I’m in. The holidays find me wining (not whining) more than usual, and drinking water instead will refresh my body and soul.

Closing with my own quote: However you choose to begin 2026, start with love behind your eyes.

Until the next time: Live while you live.

Jennifer Goble, Ph.D., LPC, is the author of “My Clients…My Teachers,” and the blogger and writer of Rural Women Stories: www.ruralwomenstories.com.

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