We are standing at the edge of a new year. When you look at the calendar turning, do you feel a spark of excitement? Or do you feel… heavy?
For many of us, the end of the year brings a distinct sense of weight. We look back at where we are versus where we think we should have been. This heaviness isn’t just “holiday stress”…it’s invisible luggage. It’s the accumulation of old stories, inherited beliefs, and the crushing pressure of what “success” is supposed to look like.
But here is the hard truth: You cannot walk into a new life carrying the old heavy bags.
If you want 2026 to look different than 2025, we have to do a luggage check. We need to identify what serves you, release what doesn’t, and learn how to ride the waves of what comes next.
The “100% or Nothing” Thinking
One of the heaviest bags we carry is the toxic, inherited belief that we need to be 100% successful at anything we try, or else we have failed.
Think about that. Who taught us that? We rarely put emphasis on the trying part; the focus is always on the outcome. But we fail to see that even in the decision to try, there is great growth and courage.
If you are carrying the belief that you should only try things you know you’ll be good at, you are carrying a cage, not a goal. Leave that cage in 2025.
The Neuroscience of “Making Space”
Why is letting go so important? It’s not just a spiritual concept; it’s biological.
When you are holding onto shame, heaviness, or the fear of failure, your brain stays in a subtle state of “fight or flight.” When you are in this survival mode, you physically cannot access the prefrontal cortex…the part of your brain responsible for critical thinking, planning, and creativity.
You cannot build a dream life with a brain stuck in survival mode. You have to clear the fear to make room for the future.
The “Menu Test” for Your Thoughts
So, how do we know what to leave behind? You have to audit the sentences in your head.
Try this simple strategy the next time a heavy thought weighs you down. Ask yourself: “If I could choose this thought off a menu, would I order it again?”
- Does the thought make you feel small?
- Does it make you anxious?
- Does it keep you stuck?
If the answer is yes, stop ordering it. It’s expensive, and it tastes terrible.
Riding the Wave: A Ritual for Release
Retraining your brain requires repetition and symbolism. I use a specific mantra when I catch myself spiraling into old patterns. I say to myself, out loud:
“Remember Carisa, we’re not doing that anymore. We don’t say that to ourselves anymore.”
You have to be the parent to your own mind.
I felt so strongly about the need to accept the flow of life that I got a wave tattoo on my wrist. It serves as a permanent reminder that life is a series of ups and downs. Life flows like a wave, and my job isn’t to stop the water or control the ocean…it’s to get really good at riding it.
Your Action Plan: The 2025/2026 List
I’m not a big “New Year’s Resolution” person, but our brains love the Fresh Start Effect. We crave a clean slate. Use this to your advantage this week.
Take a piece of paper and make two columns:
- What I am leaving behind in 2025. (e.g., The need to be perfect, the fear of trying, the comparison trap).
- What I am welcoming in 2026. (e.g., The courage to be a beginner, trust in my intuition, riding the waves).
Keep this list posted in front of you. Read it. Repeat it. Remind yourself: We aren’t doing the old way anymore.
I firmly believe you hold the power to create a life far beyond your current reality. It isn’t magic; it’s mindset. By feeding your mind new, empowering information and committing to the practice of repetition, you can surpass your perceived limits and cultivate a life of true joy and peace. You just need the right guide to show you the way.
Want to dive deeper into this topic and hear more of my personal insights? I invite you to watch my latest video.
Would you like to understand and rewrite your ingrained patterns? Check out my book, “Why Am I Like This?”, available on Amazon! You can learn more about my book at LifeCoachingwithCarisa.com/my-book. If you are ready to apply this to your life, schedule a free clarity call on my website.
“You can’t reach for what is in front of you until you let go of what is behind you.”
Anonymous