Now that we’re a few weeks into testing the waters of 2026, let’s take a look at how things are going. The fireworks are long gone, the gym is crowded (at least for the next two weeks), and your feed is full of “new year, new me.” But after cancer? The calendar flip can feel complicated. You want a fresh start—and you also want steady ground. Sometimes that feels like a balancing act, but you can want both at the same time.

Maybe you’re measuring time in scan cycles or “cancerversary” dates, not months. Maybe your energy is a moving target from day to day. Maybe your body carries new scars and your mind carries new alarm settings. If there’s a mess and some construction debris around, that’s okay—you’re rebuilding. And if you’ve ever worked with a contractor, you know rebuilds don’t follow a tidy timeline.

So what does this year mean—to you? Maybe you want to start smaller than the internet influencers tell you (although the first item on your to-do list could be putting them on your “not-to-do” list). Instead of giant resolutions, try gentle experiments—a week or two at a time. Ask: What gives me energy? What drains me? What’s one boundary that would make everyday life kinder to my body and brain? Think “pilot projects,” not personality overhauls. Wiggle your way into your right-fit self rather than trying to jam your way in.

A few ideas to test:

Think about what cancer season you’re in. Recovery, maintenance, exploration—each one asks for different rhythms. If you’re in recovery, rest is not a reward; it’s the assignment. If you’re exploring, curiosity is your compass. If you’re in maintenance, you’re probably figuring out what to keep and what to let go of.

Create margin on purpose. Build buffers around medical days, social plans, even good things like vacations or special events. Space helps your nervous system downshift so you can enjoy what’s in front of you. Leave yourself an extra day after a trip or big event so you can rest and have a reentry plan. At work, schedule your last day out and your first day back lighter to leave room for surprises.

Plan for scanxiety. Put support on the calendar before results week—movement, a session with your therapist or coach, a friend who “gets it,” a simple meal plan. Preloading self-care beats white-knuckling through things that trigger you.

Redefine progress. Some days, progress is a walk around the block or sending the email you’ve been avoiding. Some days, it’s choosing a nap over proving you’re “strong.” That counts, too. Match your goals to your energy and where you are.

Ask for help early. Not when you crash—when you start to wobble. Bonus points for setting up your support systems in advance so all you have to do is call or text when you need help, rather than asking out of the blue. On the other hand, if you haven’t pre-arranged help, don’t let that stop you from calling someone and asking for support. Interdependence is a strength strategy, not a failure.

About those internal alarm bells: treat them as signals, not verdicts. Note them, check for what’s actually needed (water, rest, information, a text to a friend), and take one doable action. Systems beat spirals.

If you want a theme for 2026, try this: less performance, more presence. Less proving you’re okay, more designing a daily life that helps you feel okay. Choose what matters most this year—maybe strength, connection, or creative spark—you get to decide—and give it regular, scheduled attention like it’s a non-negotiable appointment. Because it is.

You’ve already done a hard thing. This year doesn’t have to be harder to be worthwhile. Let it be steadier. Kinder. More you. And if you want company on the path, reach out. You don’t have to navigate 2026 alone.

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