How To Stay Motivated in 2026!

Sophie Simpson

5th April 2026, 14:00

Okay, so the first quarter of the year is out of the way and we are just heading into the spring... Is it just me or do the months pass by quicker once you reach a certain age? (coughs, asking for the over 40s club haha) Surely it can't only be me who feels this... Anyways, back on business... Nowadays when the New Year comes i don't count it as my fresh start to the year because in January i am stil finding my feet after the hustle and bustle of the Christmas period and trying manage how i'm going to make it to the end of the month having not been paid since mid-way through December. If you're also a sole-trader who takes two whole weeks off over Christmas you will feel my pain.

I like to think February and March are the rejuvenation of my New Year, anyone else feel the same? I don't set resolutions or anything, i shift into the headspace and mindset of how i can build discipline and take action to improve myself. I focus on how i can improve my habits and behaviours on the days that i just don't feel like it to ensure that i can maintain these actions for the long run. This is how i am able to stay motivated.

Regardless of the awful, gloomy, dark weather we're currently experiencing i still maintain my motivation to do better for myself and thoughout 2026 here are some small tips that you can start to implement into your life, to help you to keep it moving this year!

5 Things that have made a positive impact on my wellbeing:

Managing life one day at a time. It can be tough, I get it, i'm a person who likes to plan out my week, month and year but sometimes it can add extra stress to my busy brain that i don't need. I am always aware of future plans but I have now made a shift that helps me prioritise my life day to day. Taking things one day at a time can help you to feel so much more productive.
Surround yourself with better people. I'm 40 now so i know a lot of people, but every person that i know is not all good for my wellbeing and recognising this is a massive shift towards motivating myself to do better. In my life now i don't spend time with people who drain my energy or bring my energy down: its about finding people who are on your same wave and people who inspire you to improve yourself.
Focus more of your time on things that you enjoy. Life is getting harder these days, we're having to work more time to make ends meet... And as a sole trader i feel the extra burden of having to put work first but i don't let it consume all of my time. I have come to learn that for me to be at my best i need to engage in things that i enjoy, and take advantage of new experiences to ensure that i still have a zest and positivity towards life.
Acknowledge your attributes and recognise your progress. We're going into the forth month of 2026 and we all have milestones that we may have set for ourselves this year... I think the main thing is to celebrate your wins, no matter how small they are. Highlight what you are good at and don't be too hard on yourself if you go off track for one day or one week - As long as you keep it moving, don't stay stagnant you will always progress.
Reward yourself. In 2026 let's be more kind to ourselves, we need to be getting into the habit of rewarding ourselves when we achieve something that we are proud of. I have taken it upon myself to introduce a monthly 'Wellness Day' so that i can treat myself once each month. I highly reccommend it! It has such a positive impact on my health and wellbeing as it gives me the opportunity to unplug if i choose to do so, go out for the day doing someting i love or on this day i can do nothing with no judgement and no guilt.

Stay focused on your consistency, don't put too much pressure on getting things perfect and remember to always reward your small wins - This will keep you motivated throughout the year!!

Dance | Wellbeing | Passion