It’s that time of the year… when we start rethinking our choices and blaming ourselves for the goals we didn’t achieve. What can we do with this feeling? Bring up new, unrealistic goals that will only pressure us? Of course not! Shaping your dream life can be fun, healthy, and above all, an act of self-love.
2026 is almost here; we can consider a character rebranding, pick up hobbies, and plan to save some extra money. Choosing between the many organizational methods can be really challenging, but here’s the advice: use your personality as the standard. So, here are some tips to help you decide!
Reflect on 2025
Before planning for 2026, take a moment to reflect on 2025. What were your biggest achievements? What challenges did you go through? It can be helpful to analyze what worked (and what didn’t). This way, you create a more realistic and meaningful plan for the year ahead.
Moodboards
If you are more of a visual person, moodboards are a great option! Feel free to play with the images, colors, textures, and emotions. Your goals are there for you to see; there are no limits. “I really want to use this type of clothing next year”, bam! Pictures! “I’d love to see this artist’s concert!” Why not? “Hmm… maybe I should take better care of my health.” Make it pretty and not stressful.
You can create a tangible moodboard, one that you can look at and use to inspire yourself every day – either a literal board or one in a notebook. The only rule is to be creative. Digital ones are more practical and don’t require a lot of handiwork, since tons of apps can help you with that, like Pinterest or Canva.
What makes moodboards special is the aesthetic you want to evoke; you don’t need to be literal because you’re the one who knows your purpose. So, if you wish to play only with the meanings behind the pictures, the choice is yours!
Planners (or bullet journals)
A planner is never a bad option, since it keeps all the information you need gathered in a single notebook designed for that purpose. But you know what’s really cool? Instead of buying a planner, you can set up one that fulfills all your needs.
The size of the notebook, the design and the topics you’d like to focus on in 2026. This way, you can connect more with your goals. And you know what? There’s a specific name for it! It’s called bullet journaling. Bullet journals were really trendy around 2019, but nowadays, they’re an option to those who prioritize mindfulness, productivity and self-discovery.
The first thing you’ll have to do is to pick a notebook, you can customize the cover of it, choosing the details or even use it as a small moodboard. Then, use the first page as an index page, since a bullet journal isn’t organized by fixed dates or sections, the index helps you keep track of everything you’ve created. You simply list the page number and the title of each section: “Habit Tracker,” “Monthly Goals,” or “Budget 2026.”
Arrange your bullet journal with daily, weekly, monthly, or future collections. If the layout you try one week doesn’t quite work for you, switch to a different spread the next week. Bullet journaling is simple at its core: it gives you the structure, and you get to decide how to fill it in.
Journaling
Journaling isn’t exactly an organization method, but it’s something that never goes out of style. While journaling, you give yourself a quiet moment to slow down and reflect on your day with clarity,
It helps you to write about what made you happy, what stressed you out, or what you want to improve tomorrow. And of course, it’s a great way to save memories and, years from now, remember who you used to be.
Playlists
The playlists are a hearing moodboard. The cool part is that you can build a monthly playlist, a year playlist, or even small, hyper-specific mini playlists that encapsulate your special moments (or the ones you’d like to experience someday.)
If you’re trying to focus, a curated playlist can help you settle into the right mindset much faster than silence or random music. If you want to romanticize your routine, a playlist can turn an ordinary walk into something that feels cinematic.
Practical organization methods
If you don’t enjoy spending time on bullet journaling or moodboards, another option is to try developing practical habits that help you stay organized without much effort.
Habit Tracking:
We all know we’re living in a digital era, so taking advantage of task-management apps like Notion, Todoist, or Asana can make everything easier. You can list your goals, set reminders, and track your progress throughout the weeks. It’s quick, convenient, and easygoing.
Top Three Priorities:
This method is all about simplicity. You choose only three priorities per day, which helps you stay focused without overwhelming yourself with long to-do lists. It’s also adaptable; if you’re feeling extra motivated, you can set three main priorities for the whole week, month, and year as well.
Your year, your way
What truly matters is not to pressure yourself, take your time, and take in the lessons you learned. Acknowledge what you’ve accomplished and stay true to who you are. Everyone has their own rhythm, habits, and realities, so begin from where you are and grow into someone you’ll be proud of. And remember: some of the best things in life happen when we’re not planning or expecting them.
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The article above was edited by Beatriz Gatz.
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