A challenge for 2026

It’s a new year and it’s that time when we look back at what we’ve achieved over the last year, how we measured up to what we had planned for ourselves and how we’re doing alongside the people that we love. If part of you is cringing in horror as you read this, you’re not alone.

Understandably  this can be a really rotten time of year for some of us and as the holiday period we were maybe holding on for is receding in the rear view mirror, it can be exactly when our mental health takes a dive. 

We can only control what we can control and there are a lot of big things out there we have no power over. We might have lost a loved one in 2025 or we (or those who we love) might have had a health crisis. Our relationship might have ended, or we might have lost our job due to circumstances out of our control.

Although we got through it, we’re here, online humble bragging can have us spiralling into doubt and savage self-criticism. An influencer will never have a normal life; it’s not what they’re selling you after all. But even friends and loved ones can push that same button without meaning. Remember that we only have the full context when it comes to ourselves and ultimately we only have to answer to ourselves, bot what someone else has been able to do.

We can be genuinely happy for friends and loved ones’ achievements in 2025 without using that as a stick to beat ourselves up.

Now, while it’s important that we do set meaningful and realistic goals for ourselves and support ourselves as we work to achieve them in 2026, I want to encourage you to do something else too.

Rather than just focusing on what you’re going to achieve over the year, I want to ask you how you’re going to be kinder to yourself in 2026?

How are you going to look after yourself? What can you do differently this year that’s going to give you more support?

Maybe this will be the year you decide to work with a mental health professional?

How can you change your environment so that it gives you more of a boost when you need it?

Maybe you can build in regular catch-up’s with friends or family?

Can you do something about getting a better sleep cycle? Maybe this is the year you finally get a new mattress?

Can you cut out the Influencers who are just making you feel bad about yourself? Can you look at reducing social media screen time?

In a way it’s easier to talk about what we want to achieve in the year ahead rather than thinking about ourselves as human beings who need kindness and support and from a mental health perspective especially that’s important too. So how about it? How are you going to be kinder to yourself in 2026?

If you’re having problems with your mental health, get in touch to talk about how counselling can help you move forward. You can drop me a message via the website or contact me directly at mckellarCBT@gmail.com.