Let’s be real: I made an “Ins & Outs 2026” list on January 1st.
I lasted two weeks.
Not because I’m lazy or unmotivated, but because half the things on my list weren’t even mine. They were goals I borrowed from girls on Pinterest, habits I thought I should have, versions of myself I was trying to force into existence.
So here we are. January 30th. And I’m rewriting my list.
Not because I failed—but because I’m finally being honest about what I actually want, what’s working, what’s bullshit, and what I’m still figuring out.
Because here’s the thing nobody tells you: January is just the trial.
If your list doesn’t feel right by the end of the month, you’re allowed to rewrite it.
So let’s do this—the brutally honest version.
PART 1: THE ORIGINAL LIST (What I Thought I Wanted)
INS (January 1st Energy)
Prioritizing me and my time
Almost true. But if I’m being honest? I still put everyone else first without even realizing it. Old habits die hard. We’re working on it.
Rest, rest, rest every time I can
Sounds easy, right? WRONG. I worked more this January than I rested. But hey, I’m going on vacation tonight, so maybe I’ll actually try this one soon.
Princess treatment by myself
OK this one? NAILED IT. Turns out it’s really easy to treat yourself like royalty when you don’t wait for anyone else to do it. I bought myself so many little gifts this month. 10/10, would recommend.
Walking therapy
This is my religion now. Just me, my headphones, music on full blast, imagining entire lives in my head like the main character I am. My friend offered to drive me home the other day and I said no because I’d rather walk. That’s how serious this is.
Friends dinner + cocktails party
100% recommend. We’ve fully switched from clubbing to game nights and cocktail parties at home. We even did an adult sleepover—booked a hotel room, ordered room service and cocktails, played cards all night. BEST. NIGHT. EVER. Also, Netflix party games? Hilarious.
Trying anything
Haven’t really had the chance yet. TBD.
Journaling + writing letters
Surprisingly, this is the one I completely failed. I was too tired at night to write in my journal. So I kept my gratitude journal (because that one actually feels good), and when I have time during the day, I just write in my Notes app during my walks. Close enough?
Almond nails
OK I did this. But girls, HOW DO YOU LIVE LIKE THIS? The regrowth is getting longer and longer and I’m actually struggling to type on my laptop right now. Also, it’s expensive. Yes, I look cleaner. Yes, people complimented me. But is it efficient? No. I think I need something shorter because this length is too much for me.
Styling my hair
LOL. HUGE FAIL. As I’m writing this, my hair looks like absolute chaos. I still haven’t tried any new hairstyles. I still do the same ponytail every day. I really need to watch some tutorials or something.
Notes + Pinterest + Substack apps
Notes? My second brain. Everything’s in there. Pinterest? I’m posting more, but I saw such little results that I got demotivated (classic January down). Substack? Honestly, I’m losing steam. At first I loved posting my articles and notes even if no one saw them. But now it feels like a race—who can post the most articles, get the most views, the most subscribers. It’s exhausting. I still post sometimes, but I’m way less motivated than before.
Create instead of consuming
LMAOOO if we’re doing a ratio, I’m at 80% consuming and 20% creating. But we’re getting there, I guess.
Trust myself more
This takes time. I have ups and downs. Moments of confidence, moments of doubt. Still working on it.
Let my feelings go
No emotional crisis to report in January. We’re good. For now.
Pilates set
It’s expensive. It’s cute. But here’s my honest take: I don’t feel comfortable walking around in tight shorts or second-skin bodysuits in public. And I realized I bought sets that are too tight because I was overly optimistic about my body confidence. Not there yet.
High maintenance
I tried. I wore makeup for a whole week and honestly? I loved it. It boosted my confidence, made me feel fresh. But “high maintenance” as a lifestyle? That’s a lot of pressure.
Work out every day (at least every week)
Everyone saw this coming. No, it’s not every day. But once a week? I’ll take it.
OUTS (January 1st Energy)
All or nothing mood
Still struggling with this.
People opinion / People pleasing / Giving too much / Care too much
All still here. Trying to work on them, but they’re stubborn.
Constant pressure / Self hate / Culpability for not giving enough
Same. Work in progress.
Spend time and money on others
Getting better at this one, actually.
Lazy mood
Not gonna lie, I had a DOWN during Blue Monday. It hit hard.
Phone in the morning
It’s hard, but I’m trying.
Try to get attention from others
Still working on this.
Skipping breakfast
Actually kept this one! Eating breakfast now.
Leave messages open for more than 24h
Yeah... still doing this. Sorry to everyone I owe a text.
Doomscrolling / Easy distractions
Of course I still do this. Who are we kidding?
PART 2: THE REWRITE (What I Actually Want Now)
NEW INS (What I’m Adding)
Balance
Because trying to be “that girl” all at once is exhausting. I can’t do everything perfectly. And that’s OK.
Planning for mental peace
Prepping things the night before actually helps me stress less. Who knew?
Peppermint tea
My new addiction. Helps with digestion, tastes good, makes me feel fancy.
8 hours of sleep
Non-negotiable. I’m tired of being tired.
Slow mornings
Rushing ruins my whole day. I want mornings that feel calm, not chaotic.
Slay makeup and outfit every day like a diva
OK maybe not every day. But when I do, I feel unstoppable.
Investing money
Instead of just spending it. Future me will thank present me.
Investing in good product quality over quantity
I’m done buying cheap stuff that breaks in two weeks. Buy once, buy right.
Do it now or I’ll never do it
If I don’t do it in the moment, I’ll procrastinate forever. Just do it.
No GAF (Give A F*ck)
Stop caring so much about what everyone thinks. It’s exhausting.
Being kind
To myself. To others. Even when it’s hard.
Don’t stop when you’re in, stay focused
When I have momentum, I need to ride it. Not sabotage myself by stopping.
Cool girl energy
Effortless. Unbothered. Not trying too hard. Just existing.
NEW OUTS (What I’m Actually Done With)
Doing things last minute and rushing
It stresses me out and makes everything harder than it needs to be.
Saving things for a “special occasion”
Life IS the special occasion. Use the good stuff now.
Clubbing
I’m over it. Give me a cozy night with friends instead.
Being too online or on my laptop all day
My brain needs a break from screens.
Putting too much pressure on myself
This is the big one. I’m done expecting perfection from myself.
Compulsive purchases
Buying stuff I don’t need just because I’m bored or stressed. Not doing that anymore.
PART 3: THE LESSON
Here’s what I learned rewriting this list:
You don’t have to keep goals that don’t fit anymore.
The version of me on January 1st was excited, optimistic, and a little delusional. She thought she could do it all. And you know what? That’s fine. She needed to try.
But the version of me on January 30th is honest. And honesty is more valuable than motivation.
Some things worked. Some things didn’t. Some things I thought I wanted were just borrowed from people I follow on Instagram. And some things I didn’t even know I needed until I tried them (peppermint tea, I’m looking at you).
January is just the trial.
If your list feels wrong, change it.
If your goals feel heavy instead of exciting, let them go.
If you’re behind, struggling, or haven’t even started—who cares?
The real year starts when you’re ready.
So here’s my new mantra for 2026:
Balance over perfection. Honesty over aesthetics. Progress over pressure.
And if almond nails aren’t working for you? Cut them shorter. You’re allowed.
And if you want more brutally honest reflections like this—subscribe to the VOGA newsletter. No toxic positivity, no fake perfection. Just real thoughts for real people.