A Different Question To Start 2026

I have one question for you to start 2026, and it's a little different from your typical new year's goal setting resolution type of question:

What are you longing for?

I love the word longing because it gets at something deeper than a simple want, something more innate than a goal.

Longing somehow skips right past rules and expectations and all the should's and gets right to the heart of what your entire being desires.

What does your entire being desire right now? What are YOU longing for?

There's no right or wrong answer. I'm not even going to give you any examples of what you could possibly be longing for because I don't want to cloud what you already know to be true. It's YOUR longing.

The funny thing about this article is that I was originally planning to write it and publish it on January 1 or 2, the typical time that new year's messages come out.

But on those days last week, the only thing I was longing for was spaciousness and rest. So much so that I even skipped a fun social event - which takes a lot for me to do!

Part of me felt like I "should" write the message anyway, that I should ignore my own knowing and desire for rest, and push through.

Then I realized that feeling was just the rules. It was overachieving and perfectionism. It was our culture telling me to push harder and always do more and DO IT NOW.

Yes, with all the work I've done on the rules and how they impact us, they still show up for me - that's how strong those rules can be! So no self-judgment please if they also show up for you!

But I also don't have to follow those rules. I can listen to my own knowing over the push for proving, pleasing, and perfecting.

You can, too.

So I'll ask it again: What are you longing for?

And, just as important....how can your answer that question guide you this year?

P.S. If you have longings and goals that could use the support of a coach, email me at heather@heatherwhelpley.com and I’ll send you more information!