Happy New Year.
As we step into 2026, I wanted to share something I've been noticing - both in my own leadership and in conversations with many of you.
There is a lot of opportunity right now. Real opportunity. And at the same time, the pace is intense, the noise is constant, and it's easy to feel like you're carrying more than you should.
What I hear most often sounds something like this:
"I'm doing a lot and I'm good at what I do but it feels harder than it should."
This is a different environment today; it is not you.
It's a leadership environment issue.
The leaders who are breaking have a different strategy, less reacting and carrying it all on their shoulders. They're operating from a steadier place, one that allows them to think clearly, move people well, and spot issues earlier.
From what I'm seeing, that kind of leadership comes from three things:
1.) Getting back to yourself as a leader; being clear on who you are, what you bring, and how you want to show up.
2.) Learning how to move people up, down, and across the organization by understanding where others are and what actually helps them move forward.
3.) And seeing around corners which happens when there's enough space in your thinking and enough perspective around you to notice small gaps before they become expensive ones.
When those things aren't in place, that is where the overwhelm and exhaustion is coming from for leaders today. They just carry too much, react more than they want to, and look back wondering when things got heavier than necessary.
I shared a bit about this recently on social, and some of you have already signed up. I also wanted to make sure everyone here had a chance to see it.
I put together a free, short 3-part video series that walks through these three ideas in a very practical way. Each video is 5-7 minutes and includes simple shifts you can start using right away.
If you want to start the year feeling clearer and spend less time reacting and more time actually leading, this will support you.
Sign-up for the free video series here.
I'm looking forward to this year and the work (and fun) ahead.
Cheers to healthy and impactful 2026,
Amy
Myth vs Fact: Why Most New Year's Wellness Resolutions Don't Stick (and What Actually Does)
You may find yourself hearing the same thing every January...
This will be the year you finally get disciplined.
This plan will fix your habits.
If you try harder, you'll succeed.
And every February, most people are left wondering why motivation evaporated so quickly.
At Modwellship, we see this pattern play out every year, not because people don't care, but because the story we've been told about wellness is fundamentally flawed. Let's cover some of the myths we hear annually and discuss why they aren't sustainable solutions.
Myth #1: "If you really wanted it, you'd stick to it."
Fact: Consisteny isn't a character trait, it's a systems issue.
Most resolutions fail becase they rely on willpower in environments that actively work against us. Stressful jobs. Packed schedules. Constant decision-making. Nervous systems already running on overload.
When life gets busy (and it always does), habits that depend on motivation alone are the first to go.
What actually works: Designing habits that fit inside real life, not fantasy schedules. Sustainable wellness adapts when things get hard instead of collapsing under pressure.
Myth #2: "You need more discipline."
Fact: Discipline breaks down under chronic stress.
Most high-achievers don't lack discipline, they're often relying on it too much. When stress is high, the brain prioritizes safety and efficiency, not long-term goals. That's biology, not weakness.
So, when you find yourself reaching for comfort, skipping workouts, or abandoning routines, your nervous system isn't sabotaging you, it's protecting you.
What actually works: Practices that regulate stress before asking for behavior change. When the nervous system feels safe, consistency becomes possible.
Myth #3: You have to overhaul everything to see results"
Fact: All-or-nothing thinking is one of the fastest paths to burnout.
January often comes with pressure to:
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start a new diet
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commit to a rigid workout plan
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wake up earlier
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cut out entire food groups
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be a "new you" overnight
That level of change is exhausting, and unsustainable.
What actually works: Small, strategic shifts that compound over time. Progress comes from alignment, not intensity.
Myth #4: "Falling off track means you failed."
Fact: Falling off track is part of the process.
Wellness isn't a straight line. It's cyclical. Seasons change. Capacity changes. Priorities shift.
The problem isn't that people fall off - it's that most systems don't include a way to get back on without shame.
What actually works: Building flexible frameworks instead of rigid rules. Sustainability means your approach still works on your worst weeks not just your best ones.
So, what is sustainable wellness?
Sustainable wellness isn't about doing more. It's about doing what's supportive.
It looks like:
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habits that bend instead of break
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tools that work under stress
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goals rooted in capacity, not comparison
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progress measured over months and years, not days
Most importantly, it treats your body and nervous system as allies, not obstacles.
We're not interested in quick fixes or performative wellness. We're here to help you build approaches that last, because sustainability isn't about trying harder, it's about working smarter.
Here's to a year of aligned, realistic, human-centered wellness.
Start the Year Feeling Clearer!
In case you missed it above, if you want a simple place to start the year feeling clearer and more focused, the free 3-part video series is there for you.
Each video is short and designed to support how you operate, move people, and create impact without adding more hours to your day.
Sign-up here.
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