stressing over the new year!

hello people around the world, this is Ace, Kate Dahlin’s daughter. Today I am going to talk about the stress we have some times when it is the new season, like 2026 and we just want to get everything done on time so that we are ready for the week, month, or just the new year.

I’m twelve, so people expect me to decide stuff – not like I’m a grown-up but still lots more than 1927 or something. My parents talk about “goals” and “plans” like it’s a project at school, but it never feels that simple. There are tests, family things, sports, friends, and everyone posting perfect “new year, new me” pictures like they’ve already fixed everything.

Sometimes I wake up and my brain is full of lists: practice the clarinet, study for a test, ask about a summer camp, read more, sleep more. But instead of helping, the lists make my chest tight. I get tired faster, I snap at my little brother for no reason, and I forget stuff I actually care about, like writing and journaling or playing outside with my brother. It’s weird because I want to do better this year, but thinking about all the changes makes me want to hide under my bed.

What helps a little is when I break things into tiny steps. My mom told me this. Instead of “be perfect at math,” she says to just tell myself to do one extra problem a day. Instead of “get super fit,” I decide to go to the gym with my mom a least two times a week. My mom says to pick only a few things to focus on so I don’t get tired of everything. I also try not to compare myself to other people — they don’t show ever show you the times they mess up.

I try to make a plan I can actually follow: pick two or three main goals, write one tiny thing I’ll do every day, and reward myself when I finish, And I tell a friend or my mom so I don’t feel like I’m the only one struggling. Resetting for a new year or season is scary, but if I take small steps and don’t try to be perfect, it doesn’t feel as heavy.

things you can do to not stress about 2026!

Okay, so I see you adults stressing out about “resetting for 2026” and “getting everything organized,” and honestly… you’re making it way more dramatic than it needs to be. So here’s what you should do, from a 12-year-old who watches you panic and then wonders why you do that to yourselves, this is what you should do.

1: first calm down, like seriously and take a breathe,You can’t organize anything if you’re running around like your hair is on fire. Sit down. Drink some water. Maybe a snack. Snacks help everything.

2: stop trying to do every single thing in one day,You always say “I’ll just knock it all out this weekend” and then you’re shocked when you’re exhausted and grumpy and didn’t finish anything. Do one thing at a time. Even kids know that.

3: make a list but not a scary lit, Write the stuff you actually need to do, not every impossible thing you wish you were doing. And don’t make 500 goals. That’s just setting yourself up for meltdown madness.

4: ask for help instead of being the superhero’s, You always tell us kids to ask for help, but then YOU never do. If something is too much, tag someone in. Teamwork isn’t cheating.

5: take breaks like you tell us too, Remember how you tell kids to take a timeout when we’re cranky? Yeah, maybe listen to your own advice. Take a walk, stretch, stare out the window like a dramatic movie character—whatever works.

6: you don’t have to change your hole life because your calendar flips. 2026 doesn’t have a checklist you have to complete before midnight. You can start slow. You can restart in February or March or literally whenever. There’s no rule.

7: celebrate little wins and not just seeing the wrong in everything. If you cleaned one drawer—yay! If you planned one thing—yay! If you didn’t panic today—double yay!

Basically… stop stressing so much. Adults always say kids worry about nothing, but honestly, you’re the ones worrying about EVERYTHING at the SAME time.

You don’t have to fix your whole life all at once.

Just chill, do one thing, breathe, and remember… it’s going to be fine.