2026 You Feels Amazing. Here’s What You Did to Get There
Let’s talk about your future self.
Not the version of you who just barely makes it through the week. Not the version running on cold coffee, to-do lists, and vague health goals like "drink more water" or "get more sleep."
I’m talking about the version of you who wakes up on January 1, 2026, and actually feels good.
Grounded. Clear. Energized. Supported by habits that you don’t have to think about anymore and won’t collapse the minute you get distracted by life.
That version of you is real. And she's built on the choices you make right now.
The Real Timeline of Transformation
When was the last time you tried a new diet plan or a health challenge? How well did that work for you?
I’m not hating on diet plans or challenges. After all, I offer those as part of wellness my tool kit. They’re great for getting you moving in the right direction and thinking about what you can do differently to become the next version of you.
The problem comes in thinking that following the plan or challenge for the agreed timeframe means that you’re done.
That in 14 days or 30 days, if you can just change everything that the plan wanted you to change then you will magically feel more energetic, focused, and ready to conquer the day.
Many people do feel better, but then the stress of maintaining the massive amount of change to your routine kicks in and you end up right back where you started.
Making real, lasting change in your life doesn’t happen by changing everything at once.
If we’re going to do this right, we have to start by telling the truth about what’s not working.
The Burnout Loop: Where Many Women Stay Stuck
You already know how to push through. That’s not the problem.
In fact, it’s the overusing of that skill that creates the issue.
Pushing through teaches your body that rest isn’t safe. That symptoms like brain fog, fatigue, bloating, or anxiety are just "normal."
They’re not.
And if you stay in that loop, here’s what 2026 looks like:
- You’re sleeping but never feel rested
- You’re eating well but still feel awful
- You’re doing "everything right" but progress feels slow and inconsistent
If you feel like you’re stuck on the hamster wheel, this is why!
You’re not addressing the root cause so you can step off the wheel and into your best, healthiest version of you.
Here are 5 shifts you can do to start your journey.
You’ll notice that I’m not telling you to change everything in your life. I’ll never tell you that because it doesn’t work. Small choices made consistently over time are how you get there!
Shift #1: Stabilize Your Nervous System
Chronic stress is sneaky. It can hide itself in behaviors like:
- Constant multitasking
- Feeling wired at night and foggy in the morning
- Always needing noise, distraction, or stimulation
- Being unable to wind down without wine or sugar
This isn’t a mindset problem. It’s a physiological state.
When your nervous system is dysregulated, your digestion slows down, your immune response gets weaker, and your hormones get out of sync.
Start here:
- 2-minute breathing breaks before meals
- 5-minute post-work walks without your phone
- Cut your evening screen time by 30 minutes
These aren’t random self-care tasks. They're physiological resets. And when practiced consistently, they rewire your system for recovery and resilience instead of stress.
Did you notice something else about them?
They don’t require you to sacrifice a ton of time or rework your whole day to accomplish.
Shift #2: Support Your Gut, Support Your Brain
Gut health isn’t just about digestion. Your gut health also influences your inflammation levels, immunity, and mental clarity.
Women who stay in burnout cycles often develop signs of gut dysfunction:
- Bloating after meals
- Afternoon brain fog
- Sugar cravings despite a balanced diet
- Food sensitivities or chronic fatigue
This is what happens when stress disrupts your microbiome. Your gut lining becomes more permeable ("leaky gut"), your immune system becomes hyper-vigilant, and inflammation becomes chronic.
You don’t need a 3-day smoothie bowel cleanse to solve this problem.
Start here:
- Add 1 cup of cooked vegetables daily (zucchini, carrots, squash)
- Try post-meal walks for digestion and blood sugar regulation
- Sip herbal teas that calm and support the gut (peppermint, chamomile, ginger)
This builds the foundation for better sleep, more energy, and improved mood.
And again, they’re simple adjustments that you can make to your day!
Shift #3: Stop Sugar Crashes Before They Start
When your blood sugar is all over the place, it makes everything harder.
You may feel energized one minute, bone tired the next. You’re more irritable, more anxious, and more likely to crave caffeine or carbs just to keep going.
Your amazing willpower isn’t going to fix this one. Consistency is what you’re looking for here.
Start here:
- Eat a protein-rich breakfast within 90 minutes of waking
- Include fat + fiber with every meal
- Don’t go longer than 4-5 hours without eating
These simple shifts create more stable energy, fewer cravings, and better hormonal health.
Honestly, out of everything, this one is the hardest for me because I am so busy.
It’s easy to get caught up in the momentum of the day and pause for a second to realize it’s been too long since I ate last. I try to keep this in mind when I go grocery shopping, so I have some quick, go-to snacks on hand. When I cook, I make a double batch so there’s plenty left over for lunch. I’ve found that’s easier for me than doing a big meal prep day. Whatever works best for you, do it!
Shift #4: Make sleep a priority
Lack of sleep raises cortisol, impairs blood sugar regulation, slows detox pathways, and increases cravings for high-reward foods (cakes and cookies, anyone?).
And yet, many women don’t make sleep a priority because they’re too busy working through their to-do lists and desperately trying to get it all done.
Start here:
- Set a bedtime alarm
- Avoid screens 60 minutes before sleep
- Take a hot bubble bath and let yourself let go of the day’s stress
- Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool
Getting serious about getting good sleep is the best thing you can do to support your hormones, sharpen your mind, and slow the effects of stress on your body.
When I was recovering from long Covid, I made a few dietary changes and then focused on improving my sleep. I’d always been a night owl and stress fed into that, so sleep was chronic problem for me. Add being sick to that, and it was almost impossible.
It took me awhile to figure out my winning combination (bubble bath & hot tea + white noise machine + Bluetooth face mask), but once I did, my energy levels were much better in the morning and I was able to focus better during the day.
Shift #5: Choose Your Anchor Habit
It’s tempting to try everything at once. But your nervous system can’t sustain that.
Instead, ask: What is the one habit that would change how I feel the fastest?
- If stress is your issue, start with 5 minutes of breathwork.
- If energy is your issue, stabilize breakfast.
- If inflammation is your issue, simplify your meals and support digestion.
Then commit to working on that one habit for the next 30 days.
Don’t rush yourself into adding more. It is enough to do this one thing well before you add something new. Once you feel good about your anchor habit, add the next one, and so on. Build slowly and consistently.
Use the examples above as a guide to get started. Pick what works best for your life right now and take action.
Imagine this:
You wake up with energy instead of already feeling exhausted. Your gut feels good. Your joints aren’t achy and tired. You’re not second-guessing everything you eat. Clarity and focus rule your day.
Sounds great, right?
This can be you if you put in the work. Today's decision to stop trying to do everything at the same time and start committing to a few small changes for the next 90 days will help you feel better now and set yourself up for success moving forward!
