Five Ways To Better Yourself In 2026

Take Pen to Paper: Edition167

Hi Friends!

Do you set a resolution or goal for the New Year?

I always do, in some way, which I’ve written about before. But really, don’t we all just want to be better in some way? That’s why we set resolutions and goals.

Sometimes we don’t know where we want to go until we go there. We can take one step in a direction and see where it leads. You can have a specific idea or a general idea and just start. That’s how I was with writing and exercise. I learned to:

1. Keep it simple.

2. Don’t compare yourself to others.

3. See where it takes you.

I’ve tried many activities this way through my journaling - haiku, daily sketches, and various forms of journaling. Some stick, many don’t. But you don’t know until you try.

Some of the strategies I have used, or want to try, aren’t overwhelming like a year-long resolution.

Here are some strategies for you to consider.

When you see something someone else has done and think “I can do that,” or “I can do that, too,” or “I can do that better”, then do it! This is how I started my newsletter and art lessons. I’ve learned much and get immense satisfaction from both.

Take it bite by bite. This is how I tackle the classics that I read. Ovid’s Metamorphoses (636 pages), Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina (817 pages), and I just finished Sigrid Undset’s Kristin Lavransdatter (1124 pages). I’m not a fast reader, but by reading a little each day, I completed each book. Now, I’m not afraid to take on a lengthy tome.

Get out. We had cold weather over the holidays, and I was out of my usual routine, which centers around volunteering at schools. My brain slowed down. I missed the conversations and the sights beyond what I could see from my windows. Being among people and nature makes us think. We get ideas to take action on. Getting out makes us better.

Make a more/less list. I got this idea from Courtney at bemorewithless.com. Make a list of what you want more of and what you want less of this year. It will give you ideas for actions to take for a better year and a better you.

Details matter. You can change a small detail and make a difference. The detail can be in a habit you have (flossing every night), something you eat (drinking one less soda each day), putting your phone away to read five pages, or any detail that you can consistently change. When I began my gratitude journey, I also tried to take the word “not” out of my everyday language (it’s really hard). I wanted to phrase everything positively. I have a habit of that now, particularly in my newsletters.

Do any of these strategies appeal to you? A small change can make a big difference.

Art and photo by S.G.S. Abel

7 Days, 7 Thoughts on Gratitude and Good:

1. In my art class, I changed one detail of the painting shown above. The small picture on the left is the picture the class painted. I ask for red paint instead of green for the background. If my painting turned out OK, I planned to give it to my son. We are fans of the University of Alabama, whose mascot is an elephant and colors are crimson and white. I didn’t care what the other members of the class thought, but to my surprise, everyone complimented it! (No other Alabama fans in the class.) 🎨 🐘

2. This edition of Matt Hogan’s blog inspired me to list changing a detail as a way to be better.

3. It’s a good thing to make simple efforts to be better. Complicated plans and goals can be hard to meet and easy to abandon.

4. I recently bought a new winter coat, and it’s made me grateful for proper clothing that lets me get out and walk on a cold day. 🧥

5. A quote: “Remember how far you’ve come, not just how far you have to go. You are not where you want to be, but neither are you where you used to be. Take pride in how far you’ve come. Have faith in how far you can go.” - Rick Warren

6. It’s a good thing to enlist a friend to help keep you accountable when you are trying to make a change. 🧑‍🤝‍🧑

7. I am grateful for all the ways I have tried to better myself. I always learn something new.

Thank you for reading. Do you have plans to make a small change to be a better you?

Until next time,

💙

Susan

What simple strategies have you tried in an effort to better yourself? Leave a comment and let me know.

If you know someone who would enjoy Take Pen to Paper, please share this newsletter. I am always looking for new readers.

If you are a new reader of Take Pen to Paper, welcome! I’m glad to have you here. Consider subscribing. My newsletter is free, and I do not use affiliate links.

I have a 2nd newsletter about journaling. It’s a great way to learn about journaling, especially if you are new to the habit. If you are interested or know someone who would be, check it out at From The Pen’s Nib: A Commonplace Book About Journaling.