Ask Erin | Your New Year Checklist

by ERIN SHARPLIN LOVE  |  erinlove@panachebyerin.com

The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to hit the pause button and reset your home and life.  What do you want 2026 to look like for you and your family?  What changes or upgrades do you want to make?  If these are the thoughts that are running through your mind, then this article is for you!  Personally, I am on a journey to create a grand, new life, too, so we are in this together. Let’s get started!

1. Do a Life Audit.  I usually do this step on January 1st, but I think it’s a great tool to use at the beginning of EVERY month!  A life audit helps you figure out what’s working and what’s not. My favorite tool to conduct a life audit is the “Wheel of Life.” It looks like this.

During a life audit you rate how satisfied you are in each category of life.  For instance, in the “Health” category I rated myself as slightly unsatisfied because I let my workout schedule fall by the wayside during ball season, summer activities, and the holidays.  It’s time to get back on track!  How do you rate yourself?

2. Decide on a “Word of the Year.”This may be my favorite part of the new year.  I have set a “word of the year” for over ten years and it truly sets the theme for my entire year.  Your “word of the year” is extremely personal, so don’t feel as though you must share it with everyone. To discover your word of the year, I suggest taking a cue from your “Wheel of Life.” What word resonates with you?  Here are a few of my words from the past years: Grow, Pivot, Learn, Fun, Focus, Strength, and Adventure.  

3. Set Personal Goals.  Once you have completed the “Wheel of Life” your goals will be clearer and easier to set.  I like to set one to three goals per area of the wheel.  As always, your goals should be SMART!  

S – Specific

M – Measurable

A – Achievable

R – Relevant 

T – Time Bound

4. Create a Routine for Implementation.  You can always set goals, but unless you act on them you will never reach those goals!  The way I implement my goals is by creating a Sunday Check-in.  Every Sunday I sit down with my journal, to-do list, and phone to create a set of specific actions I can take during the upcoming week.  For instance, since one of the areas I want to improve upon is ‘Health,” I create a workout routine, meal plan, and shopping list during my Sunday Check-ins.  

5. READ!  If you want to improve yourself, READ! Read the Bible.  Read self-help books that are geared toward your interests and life.  Even reading fiction will increase your brain function and keep your mind young and healthy.  Reading is a form of self-care that comes with a myriad of benefits, so it can’t be overlooked.

6. Organize!  The start of a new year is the perfect time to refresh your organizing systems and rearrange your spaces.  This simple action can unlock energy that can lead to new thoughts and ideas!  Take this step slowly as the organization process can get out of control quickly and make you lose interest altogether.  

7. Clear Phone and Computer Storage.  Take the time to clear unwanted pictures, emails, apps, and other files from your phone and your computer.  If you have a lot of pictures that you want to save but don’t want them to take up much needed phone storage, I suggest transferring them to another storage device.  I’ve used DropBox and an external storage drive.  

Don’t take this fresh start for granted!  Together, let’s hit the ground running and NEVER stop!  2026 is going to be a GREAT year!!