2026 More & Less
By Alison Stoner
January is often a time for goal setting and making resolutions. For the last couple of Januarys I’ve been very much in survival mode so sitting down to make plans felt impossible. The last two years my husband’s health was very fragile and we had spent so much time in the hospital and in doctors offices that I was just pleased with myself if I took a drink of water and did the kids’ lessons with them. When you’re living day to day with such uncertainty of what the future holds (yes, I know none of us truly know, but when things are really rocky you can’t even plan for the next week) goal setting may not be the healthiest thing for you mentally. If this is where you are this January, I want you to do one thing: Breathe.
If you don’t have the physical, mental, or spiritual capacity to make resolutions this January, know that you will still be ok. You will make it through the year. And you may even be a better version of yourself because you didn’t. Some seasons of life are simply for existing and making it through to the next day. If that’s where you are, know I’ll be here to cheer you on with each and every day you make it through!
That being said, I’m finally starting to feel like our life is a little more stable. Of course we still have our areas of stress, and my husband’s health will always be a little worrisome, but for the last year we haven’t had to cancel any plans due to an unexpected week-long stay in the finest (said sarcastically) of hospitals. As the ball dropped on this new year, I actually felt like I could make some resolutions and set some goals.
As I sat down with my new pens and journal, however, I couldn’t really think of anything major. It wasn’t as if my life is perfect and I have it all together - that’s very far from reality. But instead, it’s that I have a new perspective on what really matters. While health matters to me, being 100 pounds no longer seems to be my focus. While it would be nice to have a bigger house to welcome my friends and family into, I’m not willing to sacrifice the blessing that is our day to day rhythm so that I can find a salaried position. Things that once mattered don’t seem to be such a big deal once you walk through a season wondering if your husband is going to die. Life has a way of showing you what truly matters.
But, as I sat there thinking and praying over my 2026 and what it looks like to “move on” from the last three years, the Holy Spirit highlighted a few things to me. He spoke to me in the frame of “more & less ofs”, and with that I have made my 2026 goals.
MORE:
Time spent in my Bible and in prayer. This is always the goal right? You can’t have too much God time. My focus this year will be intentional, uninterrupted prayer time, and spending my Bible reading time in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit what He wants to reveal to me through the scriptures He’s led me to.
Water. Guys, why do I suck so much at drinking water? But even 2 more ounces is a win in my book!
Laughter. Our life has been so serious for so long, and while I feel like we’ve done the best we can at giving our kids a good childhood despite what we had to walk through, I want to redeem the stress and tears with so much silliness and laughter! It is the best medicine afterall.
Movement. I’m not making any sort of workout goal because I don’t want to start another exercise routine that I will drop after a few days. I live in a very rural town that doesn’t have a gym, but it does have lots of walking trails and safe neighborhoods. My kids love to ride their bikes and play tag - these are things I can join them in doing. Even if I make the simple adjustment of putting my book (or phone) down and getting to some much needed dusting around the house, I’d be making a positive shift.
Opening my house up to others. We have a very small ranch house that isn’t set up well for entertaining. However, the table and hosting is something I am passionate about. I believe life happens at the table. Bellies are filled, hearts are shared, and memories are made around the table. I want 2026 to be the year we play more games and eat more soups with our friends.
Fun nails. One thing 2025 brought was the joy I found in doing my nails. I bought a gel nail kit on Amazon a few years ago for $30, but last year was the first time I started using it consistently. I found the time I took painting them to be relaxing (especially since I got to listen to an audiobook while I did it), and the bright colors and fun designs were fun to look at throughout the week. I can’t wait to see what new color combos and little designs I can come up with for 2026.
Dreaming. When you’re stuck in survival mode all dreaming ceases. There were many days that I found myself in the deep pits of despair, telling myself things like “that will NEVER happen” or “we will ALWAYS be broke.” These are lies that the enemy uses to hold us in depression, but the truth is that we have hope in a loving Father who takes great joy in giving us the desires of our hearts. The Bible tells us that we will face trials of many kinds, but I don’t think that means we need to dwell on the struggles and wait every day in anticipation of the fall out. Instead, I will dream once again of a front porch and seeing new parts of the world.
LESS:
Worrying about what others think. I lived too many years of my life in the comparison trap and striving for acceptance by others. Maybe I’m just more mature now, too old to care, or I’ve been jaded by life, but I simply don’t care anymore. If you don’t like me or the way I do something, you don’t have to. I know now that different doesn’t mean wrong, so we can have varying ways of thinking and doing and it doesn’t mean one of us has to change. I’m actually pretty happy with who I’ve grown to be, the children I am raising, and our way of life. As long as God is happy with how I’m operating, that’s all that matters.
Scrolling. Ugh. Social media. Why is Instagram so addicting? Anyway, I’m starting January out with a social media fast, and I’m hoping that the reset will help me establish better boundaries with the apps so that I can focus more of my time and energy on the things in the “MORE” category.
Neglecting my marriage. While my husband has been a huge focus of my last three years, his physical health has been the focus and has taken away from the emotional health of our marriage in some ways. I hope 2026 brings more date nights, more snuggles, and more kisses.
Alcohol. This isn’t so much a “less” as a stick with it point. I’ve never struggled with alcohol, and I would describe myself as an “occasional” drinker - socially and around the holidays only really. But the last drink I had was Labor Day weekend and I think I’m just going to be done with it. I’ve noticed that alcohol does nothing positive for me and I’m just as happy drinking Poppi (happier actually because it tastes better). For days after drinking (and by drinking I mean one Truly), I feel puffy and swollen, and it also kills my immune system and I end up sick afterwards. Drinking alcohol doesn’t serve me in any way and so I’m just leaving it behind.
Frivolous spending. 2025 was a very tough year for us financially. There were times we went weeks without any income, and we had to lean on family for financial support more than I would like to admit. To get by, we stripped down to bare bones really. We got rid of all of our paid subscriptions, cut out eating out and coffees, and stayed home a lot more than we were used to. It was stressful to say the least. But what the financial strains of 2025 taught me was two very important things: 1. We have so much to be grateful for and that wealth doesn’t always mean financial success, and 2. So many of my “needs” are actually “wants.” Even if the contract jobs are plentiful or the pay checks are consistent, I’m going to really think about how I’m spending our money.
Excuses. I’m the queen of excuses, honestly. I can justify anything, and I tell myself “no” far too easily. I’m ready to live a life with fewer excuses when it comes to working out, sugar, movement, spending, cleaning, going out with friends… the list goes on.
As the year plays out I may add more to the list or take away some. The beauty of this mindset over strict goals is that it’s fluid and flexible. I’m entering 2026 with an open heart and mind to let God lead me through what I hope is a stable, healthy, and joy-filled year.