January Newsletter

Hello,

Here we are again in the new year. Are you deep in the process of New Year's resolution execution, or are you like me, entering 2026 resolutionless?

I'm someone who loves a chance to reflect, regroup, and create goals. Not only am I a therapist, but I'm an art therapist, which practically means I was born with a vision board. I find it helpful to take stock and set intentions at all points in the year: anniversaries, birthdays, New Year's, the end of a quarter, the end of the week, the end of the day for tomorrow. So why don't I have a list this year of things to shift or improve?

I think some of it has to do with being a business owner. When you own a business, you're sort of always making resolutions (I mean, goals) and working out how to achieve them. Maybe I'm iterating and optimizing enough in my work life to scratch that itch?

But I also think some of it has to do with feeling pretty satisfied in my life overall. My sister-in-law's brother-in-law said it best this year (does that make him my brother-in-law?). He said, "I like my life. I feel happy, fulfilled. I love my family, my home. My job is going well. I don't think there's anything I want to change. So I guess my resolution would be to not mess anything up."

Same.

Or maybe growth is just so in my DNA at this point that I don't need to consciously work at it? In Gestalt therapy, we think of the self as something you're actively doing rather than something fixed. We call it selfing, actually, a verb, always becoming, always shifting. Maybe I've internalized that idea enough that I trust evolution will happen without a formal resolution list?

Another thing I've been considering in my "why am I not analyzing myself more for the new year" self-analysis is that this feels like a season of observing rather than forcing. Instead of pushing changes I think I "should" make, I'm just noticing what feels like an old pattern I'm ready to release? What feels like a new way of being I want to lean into? I'm trying to turn toward the new without gripping so tightly to what that needs to look like.

Of course, there are some things drawing my attention. Like how I show up for myself. Am I honoring my boundaries when my body says no, or am I overriding that inner knowing for some old story about what I "should" do?

For example, recently I made a decision professionally when my instincts were telling me not to. I could feel it in my body, that tight, anxious sensation in my chest. But I overrode it because of some old narrative about not letting people down, about not being too rigid, about second-guessing my gut. Guess what happened? My gut was correct. I knew I'd made the wrong call. I'm paying attention to that now. Why did I ignore myself? What was I trying to prove?

And how am I showing up for others? Am I being honest with the people I love about what I'm actually capable of right now? Am I in integrity with my values, or am I performing some version of myself that looks good on paper but doesn't quite fit?

Oh, and I do want more sleep in 2026.

I guess I found a resolution after all…

What about you? Are you deep in resolutions this year, or are you letting 2026 unfold without a predetermined plan? I'd love to hear what your relationship with New Year's resolutions looks like. Hit reply and let me know.

Wishing you all an easy transition into 2026!

Warmly, -Jennifer CAP

P.S. If "find a therapist" is on your resolution list, we have openings with our creative arts therapists. Reply to this email or visit creativeartspsychotherapynyc.com to book a free consultation.