January often arrives with a lot of expectation. New goals. New energy. New ideas about who we should be.But for many women I speak to, January doesn’t feel like a clean fresh start but instead feels like a lot of pressure with all the “New Year, New Me…” talk.
I know as well that I am not alone when I say that many of us (and I am now especially speaking to expats / newcomers in midlife) are holding it together on the outside, but we feel shaky and off balance on the inside.
Moving, living abroad, taking care of the family, ageing parents, finding your way over and over again, and then adjusting to all the midlife changes that come with it is a lot… and we will keep going and growing.
The truth is though that we can’t just easily switch just because it’s January 1st; we will carry our last year(s), the “this is me”, with us. After all, the responsibilities, the roles, the emotional weight roll over, it doesn’t pause.
And since that won’t change, but something inside feels like it needs to shift, my guiding word for 2026 is RELEASE. I will carry this word throughout the year, so there is no pressure to have it all under control and clear by the end of January!
That’s also a reason why I share this blog post at the end of the month. While the word itself played in my head since December, its focus shifted, teased me and challenged me throughout those past weeks.
More than a change…a shift inside
What does release mean to me?
Well, in short, it means letting go of what takes up too much mental and emotional headspace without giving anything back or making me feel bad about myself.
Throughout this month I got clearer on the direction and depth this word means for me. And seeing it will be my “guide” me for the year, there will be short-term and quick fixes and long-term adjustments that require a deep dive into my own beliefs, thought patterns, expectations and all else that’s to come.
You see, release for me is not about stopping or making huge changes. And it’s for sure not about caring less or giving less. No, it’s about being honest with myself about what no longer does me good and allowing those things to have less hold on me.
It’s about releasing what is unnecessary, to create space to tune more deeply into ourselves, rather than constantly reacting to the outside. 
When letting go feels uncomfortable
While release will be easy and freeing in some areas right from the start, others might make us uncomfortable, even cause some pain, because we let go of something familiar. And that is never easy.
Some of the easier releases, let’s call them “day to day-catch yourself – moments”:
Release overwhelm: Unfollow / unsubscribe from newsletters, groups, pages; it helps reduce overload on the mind and to clear that full inbox.
Release the outside “noise”: When the outside world gets too loud and brings you down, take, for example, a news break.
Release physical tension: When frustration creeps in and I feel the tension in my shoulders and neck, I will stop, move, stretch and take a few deep breaths to give myself time to reset.
Release triggers: Getting annoyed or triggered by e.g. social media posts… nobody forces you to follow something that doesn’t do you good…unfollow.
Release the need to answer texts / emails immediately: Not everything needs our direct attention. Create time slots / a timeframe when you will answer emails, WhatsApps, Messenger, Instagram, etc., etc.
Release clutter: I started already with the latest move, but there are still some areas, corners, shelves that bother me with too much stuff. But you don’t have to do it all at once…one corner, one cupboard is a good start… A decluttered home frees the mind!
And on a deeper level, I want to find better ways to release myself from lingering self-doubt and overthinking and from triggers and connections that no longer support me. This will definitely take a deeper dive and more time.
This is only my start when it comes to my word for 2026. The deeper meaning of the word and my actions will grow with me throughout the year.
But, what will stay throughout the year is that release will mean releasing without pressure to create space to shift…gently, slowly, intentional, internal, to notice what drains me, mentally, emotionally, energetically.
An invitation to pause and reflect
So, with January coming to an end, I invite YOU to take a moment and reflect back on the month: what and who made you feel good, supported, inspired… and what drained you… and then ask yourself, what are you ready to release?
Remember: it doesn’t have to be big, small actions matter… and be gentle with yourself.
If it feels easier, I am leaving you with some guiding questions:
• What drains me more than it gives back?
• Which commitments feel heavy or forced rather than supportive?
• Where could I create a small boundary?
• What can have less of my attention right now?
• Where in my body am I holding tension right now?
• What does my body need more of or less of?
• What helps me feel grounded, even just for a moment?
If this resonates, let’s stay connected here on the blog or on Instagram under @findingyourease.
A place where I share reflections, tools, and gentle guidance for expat / newcomer midlife women to bring steadiness from within.
Here is to: Finding Your Ease this year of 2026, 
With love,
AK
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