Ep. 568: Revealed! Our “26 for 2026” Lists

Key Takeaways

The "26 for 2026" exercise is a key "Design Your Year" component, replacing traditional New Year's resolutions.
The goal-setting process encourages flexibility, allowing participants to modify their lists throughout the year.
Hosts Gretchen Rubin and Elizabeth Craft shared personal lists, covering diverse goals.
Self-knowledge and clear aims are vital for achieving personal happiness and productivity.

The "Tried This at Home" tip introduced the "26 for 2026" list as a component of the "Design Your Year" exercises.
The framework also includes an annual challenge, exemplified by "Move 26 in 2026."
Hosts Gretchen Rubin and Elizabeth Craft shared their one-word themes for the year: 'neighbor' for Gretchen and 'x-ray' for Elizabeth.

Listeners were advised that there are no strict rules for formulating the "26 for 2026" lists.
The hosts confirmed that participants are free to modify their goals throughout the year.
This flexibility supports a personalized approach to achieving aims.

Elizabeth Craft's "26 for 2026" list includes attending two 'Live Talks LA' events and finishing a novel she is co-writing with Sarah.
Personal goals feature acquiring a gold bracelet, finding therapy after her father's loss, and developing a clearer personal style.
She plans a three-night reading retreat for 2026 and aims to have her fingernails painted in color at least twice.
Other items include new professional photos for 'Happier in Hollywood,' re-watching 'Mad Men,' and meeting Lena Dunham or Amy Phillips.

Elizabeth's goals include completing 100 Orange Theory Fitness sessions, a repeat objective from the previous year.
The hosts discussed the psychology of goal setting, noting that aiming for a higher number can be more effective.
Other goals involve walking the dogs at least three days a week and maintaining her weight.
Social aspirations include hosting at least two girls' weekends and a spring game night, which is a rescheduled event.
She also committed to goals honoring her late father, such as daily morning memories and memory journaling.

Gretchen Rubin's "26 for 2026" list begins with creating year-end family photo albums, specifically a before-and-after album for her recently acquired lake house.
She plans to move her children's literature reading group's 20th-anniversary celebration from 2025 to spring 2026.
A daily creative goal is to watercolor every day, an ongoing personal challenge.
Other goals include planning a perfume party with friends and creating a list of 26 things that please her, inspired by memories of her father.

Gretchen Rubin aims to plan a reunion with high school friends to maintain childhood connections.
Her theme of 'neighbor' manifests in goals like actively being friendly to strangers and learning the names of dogs in her neighborhood.
She plans to resume monthly dinner parties, an activity paused since before COVID-19, and intends to use Paperless Post for digital invitations.
Other items include visiting the 'earth room' and planning a family adventure for the summer.

Gretchen Rubin aims to make her annual podcaster gatherings recurring events to foster sustained relationships.
She plans to work outside her office more frequently, utilizing a portable monitor for writing, including at the New York Society library.
Wellness goals include walking faster for increased health benefits and incorporating 12 squats whenever she thinks of it.
She also intends to take a 10-minute purposeful walk within visits to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to cover all exhibits.

Gretchen's final "26 for 2026" goals include creating a five-census portrait of her father and addressing her "color pilgrimage" pamphlet.
She resolved to stop reading books she doesn't enjoy and proposed a "No Spend February," which Elizabeth Craft agreed to.
Other goals are to watch the TV series *Girls* and to buy 26 tickets to events in 2026, aiming to boost happiness through cultural engagement.
Her last item is to delegate or drop eight tasks, a numerical goal inspired by the year 2026.
Rubin expressed satisfaction upon completing her list, and the hosts encouraged listener participation, promoting the "Happiness Project Revisited" course.