2026, Refinement Over Reinvention

You don’t need to become a new version of yourself, but you can rather, grow into an even better one.

By Olivia Kariko, People & Culture Coordinator

January 1, 2026

As People and Culture Coordinator and resident wellness girl, our team and their wellbeing are always front of mind. If I’m not putting on well deserved celebrations, I’m normally deep in attempting to work out what can benefit our cohorts wellbeing.

Naturally, due to the time of year, I have been considering New Year's Resolutions and the boxes we each put ourselves in to ensure we “do better and do more than last year”. How is defining your year by how much change you achieve a positive measure?

I came to the conclusion that you don’t need to become a new version of yourself, but you can rather, grow into an even better one.

With this mindset, I’m championing a shift in perspective around New Year's Resolutions and inviting our team to engage in something more sustainable and empowering.

In 2026, the MESHKI team are fostering positivity through New Year intentions focusing on habits that actually stick and support us throughout the year as we work towards bigger picture goals. Rather than rigid “resolutions”, we’re leaning into practices like vision boarding, journaling and affirmations tools that encourage reflection and intention without pressure.

Ultimately there is no one size fits all approach. You wouldn’t borrow your friend’s heels if they were two sizes too small, and in the same way, daily physical journaling may not be realistic for someone who functions solely in their Notes app. Small, intentional switches are the key to creating habits that last.

We’re constantly consuming “New Year, New You” content across every platform now more than ever. Social media channels and platforms ask us what our resolutions are: Are you running five times a week? Launching a side hustle? Completely transforming your life overnight?

These are all incredible goals, and relatively achievable, but real change doesn’t happen instantly.

Measuring yourself against people with different lives, goals, and expectations only sets you up to fall short.

Everyone’s journey looks different, so why create disappointment when you can set yourself up for success? Intention is what carries you through the year and supports those bigger picture ambitions.

Personally, I feel far more positive heading into a new year with a simple, realistic plan. Something written in my Notes app or pinned on Pinterest because truly, something is always better than nothing. I like setting big picture goals that are supported by smaller, habit focused intentions, and we’re encouraging our team at MESHKI to do the same.

Use your Apple Notes and jot down three intentions for the year. Buy the oversized (possibly overpriced) water bottle and set a reminder to drink water every 20 minutes. Create a board on Pinterest if you’re a visual person. Positive intentions don’t have to be drastic or overwhelming often, it’s the smallest changes that help foster the best version of yourself.

Our MESHKI pinboard is a shared space for inspiration, a place to take from our collective moodboard and pin up intentions and goals as a promise to yourself, marking the start of 2026 with positivity and purpose.

After such a long and productive year, we could all use a little positive energy. Let’s start by making a promise to ourselves to set intentions and focus on refinement over reinvention.

Love, Liv (Resident Wellness Enthusiast)