2026 New Year Checklist: 26 Ways to Start Strong

Welcome to your fresh start! Whether you're buzzing with excitement or feeling a bit overwhelmed about the year ahead, this New Year checklist is your roadmap to making 2026 your best year yet.

We've curated 26 actionable steps to help you step into January with clarity, confidence, and purpose. From setting intentions to nurturing relationships and embracing self-love, each point is designed to support your journey towards becoming the woman you're meant to be.

Ready to make this year extraordinary? Let's dive in!

How To Use Your New Year Checklist

So before we begin, it's important to remember that this checklist is a flexible guide, not a rigid rulebook.

• Read it through

• Pick and choose the things that are the most important to you.

• Then tweak it to make it your own.

You also don't have to tackle everything in one go.

That's the beauty of having a New Year checklist - you know what's important to you, you have it there as a reminder, and you can work through it at your own pace, ticking things off as you go.

Like our checklist? Then you can download a printable version of it in our FREE New Year Printable Pack. This includes some other added extras for you too. There's no cost, nothing to lose, but it makes your New Year far more organised and easier to navigate.

Even if you decide NOT to print it - you'll have the templates to re-create it in your own diary, so be sure to bob on over and check it out!

2026 New Year Checklist: 26 Things To Do This Year

You all set and ready to go? Awesome, then here's 26 things to include in your New Year checklist for 2026. Starting from the top, here's what we recommend you do:

Create Your Foundation

Laying a strong foundation is crucial. These foundational habits set the tone for the entire year, providing the structure and clarity needed for everything else to fall into place. Begin here to empower your journey.

1) Start Your Journal Practice

Grab a beautiful notebook and commit to writing every morning. Even five minutes of stream-of-consciousness journaling can clear your mind, process emotions, and spark creativity. Make it a sacred ritual with your favourite tea or coffee, getting started with these powerful New Year journal prompts.

2) Establish Your Morning Routine

Design a morning that sets you up for success. Whether it's meditation, exercise, or simply enjoying breakfast mindfully, create a routine that energises rather than rushes you into the day ahead.

3) Set Your New Year's Resolutions

Choose 3-5 meaningful goals that truly resonate with your values. Be specific, make them measurable, and write down why each one matters to you. Your "why" will keep you motivated when challenges arise.

Unsure where to start, or how to set New Year's resolutions that will ACTUALLY work? Then, you're in luck, as we outlined 101+ Intentional New Year's Resolution Ideas for you if you'd like to have a read after this!

4) Create a Vision Board

Once you know what you're working towards, gather magazines, print images, and collect words that represent your dream year. Arrange them on a board you'll see daily. Write New Year affirmations on there too. This visual reminder keeps your aspirations front and centre, inspiring action every single day.

Prioritise Your Wellbeing

Taking care of your physical and mental health is the essential foundation for achieving all your other goals. By nurturing your wellbeing, you create the energy and resilience needed to thrive throughout the year.

5) Choose Your Fitness Focus

Pick one form of movement you actually enjoy—whether it's dancing, hiking, swimming, or yoga. Consistency beats perfection, so choose something that feels like a treat rather than a chore.

6) Plan Your Nutrition Strategy

Meal prep doesn't have to be complicated. Start by planning just Sunday's meals, or prep healthy snacks for the week. Small, sustainable changes lead to lasting results.

7) Establish Your Sleep Routine

Set a consistent bedtime and create a calming wind-down ritual. Put your phone away an hour before sleep, dim the lights, and perhaps read or take a warm bath. Quality sleep transforms everything.

8) Start a Mindfulness Practice

Download a meditation app or simply sit quietly for five minutes daily. Notice your breath, observe your thoughts without judgement, and give yourself permission to just be. This practice builds resilience for life's challenges.

Nurture Your Relationships

Meaningful connections are essential for a truly fulfilling year. These practices are designed to help you strengthen your bonds with the people who matter most, ensuring a year rich with connection, love and support. It's something you undoubtedly can't overlook when creating your own New Year checklist.

9) Schedule Quality Time with Loved Ones

Block out dates in your calendar right now for the people who matter most. Whether it's weekly phone calls with your mum or monthly brunches with your best friend, intentional connection prevents relationships from falling by the wayside.

10) Write Gratitude Letters

Think of three people who've impacted your life and write them heartfelt letters expressing your appreciation. You don't even have to send them if that feels too vulnerable—the act itself cultivates gratitude and strengthens your relationships.

11) Set Couple Resolutions

If you're in a relationship, sit down together and dream up shared goals. Maybe it's a monthly date night, learning something new together, or planning that adventure you've both been talking about. Growing together strengthens your bond.

There's plenty of couples New Year's Relationship Resolution Ideas you can get stuck into if - when you really break it down and think about it! Make discussing this together on your to-do-list for 2026.

Organise Your Life

Getting organized isn't just about neatness; it's about creating mental clarity and reducing stress. By streamlining your surroundings and systems, you make space for what truly matters and boost your overall productivity and peace of mind. Some essential New Year checklist ideas as part of this include:

12) Declutter Your Space

Start with one drawer, one cupboard, or one corner. Donate items that no longer serve you and create space for what's coming. A clear environment supports a clear mind and makes room for new opportunities.

13) Set Up Your Financial Systems

Create a simple budget, set up automatic savings transfers, and review your subscriptions. Financial clarity reduces stress and empowers you to make choices aligned with your goals.

14) Organise Your Digital Life

Unsubscribe from newsletters you never read, organise your photos, and clean up your desktop. Digital decluttering is just as important as physical—it reduces overwhelm and helps you find what you need quickly.

15) Create Your Planning System

Whether it's a bullet journal, digital planner, or wall calendar, choose one system and commit to it. Review it every Sunday evening to set yourself up for a productive, intentional week.

Invest in Personal Growth

Continuous learning and personal development are key to keeping life exciting and becoming the best version of yourself. Embrace the journey of self-improvement and discover new possibilities.

16) Choose Your Reading List

Select 12 books for the year—one per month. Mix fiction for joy with non-fiction for growth. Join a book club or share your reads on social media for accountability and connection.

17) Learn Something New

Always wanted to learn pottery, speak French, or master photography? Enrol in that course, watch those tutorials, or join that workshop. Growth happens outside your comfort zone.

18) Find a Mentor or Coach

Identify someone whose career or life you admire and ask if they'd mentor you. Or invest in a specialist coach who can guide your specific journey, far faster and easier. Support accelerates transformation.

19) Curate Your Podcast Feed

Fill your commute or workout time with inspiring, educational podcasts. Choose shows that challenge your thinking, teach new skills, or simply make you laugh and feel understood.

Make It Easier with a Challenge

Sometimes the best way to build momentum and kickstart new habits is through structured support and community, and that's exactly what this challenge offers.

20) Join Our 7-Day New Year Self-Love Challenge

Starting all these new habits can feel overwhelming, which is why we've created the perfect jumpstart for you! Our 7-Day New Year Self-Love Challenge breaks down the essentials into manageable daily actions.

Each day, you'll receive one simple, powerful task designed to build your confidence, clarify your intentions, and cultivate genuine self-love. It's completely free and designed specifically for women like you who are ready to make 2026 transformational.

Discover simple daily practices to boost confidence, re-discover your self-worth, and nurture your well-being. Just 20 minutes a day to transform your mindset and start living as your best, true self. By the end of the week, you'll have built momentum, established key habits, and feel genuinely excited about the year ahead. It's exactly what you'll want and need - right when you need it!

Ready to begin? Sign up now and gain instant access to your online portal of tools.

Embrace Joy and Creativity

Joy and creativity aren't just luxuries; they are essential ingredients for a fulfilling life that keep your spirit alive and thriving. Make sure they're still a priority this year by adding them to your New Year checklist!

21) Schedule Creative Time

Block out time weekly for creativity with no agenda or outcome. Paint, write, dance, cook, craft—whatever lights you up. Creativity isn't frivolous; it's essential for a well-lived life.

22) Create a Joy List

Write down 26 things that bring you pure joy—from bubble baths to your favourite songs to walking in nature. When life feels heavy, this list becomes your quick route back to happiness.

23) Practice Random Acts of Kindness

Commit to one kind act weekly—pay for someone's coffee, leave an encouraging note, volunteer your time. Giving to others creates a ripple effect of positivity that comes back to you tenfold.

24) Plan Your Adventures

Whether it's a weekend road trip or that dream holiday abroad, put dates in your calendar now. Having adventures to look forward to brings joy to even the most ordinary days.

Final Touches for Success

These final two practices are designed to tie everything together, helping you stay accountable and track your progress effectively throughout the year. They're your roadmap to sustained growth and success!

25) Review and Reflect Monthly

Set a recurring calendar reminder for the last Sunday of each month. Spend 30 minutes reviewing what worked, what didn't, and what you want to adjust. Regular reflection keeps you on track and allows you to celebrate progress you might otherwise miss. This isn't about perfection—it's about awareness and intentional course-correction.

26) Build Your Support Squad

Identify 2-3 friends who also want to grow this year and create an accountability group. Meet monthly (in person or virtually), share your goals, celebrate wins, and support each other through challenges. You don't have to do this alone—in fact, you'll go further together. Your support squad becomes your cheer team, truth-tellers, and safe space all in one.

When Things Don't Go to Plan

Here's the truth nobody tells you: you won't do everything perfectly, and that's absolutely okay. Life will happen—you'll miss workouts, skip journaling days, or eat takeaway instead of your meal prep.

The difference between those who succeed and those who give up isn't perfection; it's the ability to start again without shame.

• Acknowledge Without Judgement: Notice what happened without the negative self-talk. Replace "I'm so rubbish at this" with "That was challenging, and I'm learning." Self-compassion isn't weakness—it's the foundation of lasting change.

• Identify the Obstacle: What got in the way? Was it too ambitious, poor planning, or simply life being life? Understanding the "why" helps you adjust your approach rather than abandoning your goals entirely.

• Start Again Tomorrow: You don't need to wait until next Monday, next month, or next year. Every single moment is a chance to begin again. One small action today matters more than perfect intentions tomorrow.

That's All For This One

So that rounds things up. That's our recommended 2026 New Year checklist.

What will be on yours? We'd love to know!

Just remember: progress isn't linear, and your worth isn't tied to your productivity. Some weeks you'll soar, and some weeks you'll simply survive—both are valid.

What matters is that you keep showing up for yourself, even imperfectly. That's where the real transformation happens.

Here's to making 2026 your year—not because everything goes perfectly, but because you commit to showing up for yourself again and again. You've got this, and we're cheering you on every step of the way!

Your Self Love Story