Don’t Put Your Life on Hold

A new year doesn’t require a new you.

It’s the first day of 2026 - do you have your laundry list of New Year’s resolutions ready yet?

I understand the appeal: a new year is a new beginning. I used to approach each new year with a plan to fix myself. I was finally going to get thinner, get more sleep, make more friends, [fill in whatever stereotypical resolution women my age make]. And like most New Year’s resolutioners, I’d fail. Maybe I’d make it a few weeks, or even a few months.

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

I think the reason why I often failed was that I was chasing perfection. And I was convinced that the progress wasn’t enough; it didn’t really count unless the goal was completely achieved.

Resolutions became prerequisites to living the life I wanted to live and being the woman I wanted to become. And if I didn’t hit that goal, well, I guess I couldn’t be who I thought I could be. I wasn’t ready.

What an absolutely insane idea.

I once thought I couldn’t be a woman who wears a bikini until I lost a certain number of pounds. Only then could I be that woman.

But now I am that woman. And spoiler: I didn’t lose the weight that I once thought was a prerequisite to being that woman. I just decided to be that woman.

Photo by Austin Chan on Unsplash

I still like to take this time of year to reflect on the past year and think about where I want to be. I still set some personal goals (and some, but not all, of those are even health and fitness related!). But I don’t put my life on hold until I reach those goals. I live my life the way I want to as best I can, every single day.

If you’re curious, here are a few personal goals for the year. None of them are prerequisites for living my life, just things that help me feel better in it:

• Get more sleep, more consistently. It’s the single biggest lever for how I feel, and the one I struggle with most. (If you have tips beyond “go to bed earlier,” I’m listening.)

• Do more yoga. It’s never my first choice, but it always makes me feel better afterward, which tells me I should probably make it part of my routine.

• Continue growing this Substack. More on that below.

• Create a weekday morning routine that doesn’t feel rushed. I’d love to start the day feeling steady instead of behind.

I’m not against setting goals or resolutions. I’m just against thinking that you can’t live your life until you make the change.

If you make just one resolution this year, it should be to stop putting your life on hold. A new year is a new beginning, but so is every day.

So do the thing.

Take the leap.

Wear the bikini.

Love,

Amanda

More on goal #3

A few months ago, I took a leap and started this Substack, and I’m so glad I did. Writing here has pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way, and the encouragement I’ve received has been incredibly motivating.

In 2026, I want to write more, reach more people, and keep creating a space that feels honest, funny, and permission-giving.

If you enjoy 40 and Zero F’s, the best way to support it is simple:

• Subscribe, if you haven’t already

• Share a post with someone who might enjoy it

Thank you for being here and for helping this little corner of the internet grow.

Here’s to a 2026 with fewer rules and more living. 🥂

Love,
Amanda