As the calendar turns to 2026, I find myself standing in a very different headspace than I did a year ago.
Usually, this is the time of year when we are bombarded with "New Year, New Me" energy—a frantic rush to fix, change, and optimize every corner of our lives. But as a yoga and Pilates teacher, I’ve learned that you cannot build a solid house on shaky ground. Before we can decide who we want to be in 2026, we have to be honest about what we are carrying from 2025 that simply doesn’t fit anymore.
For me, 2025 was a year of deep learning. It was the year I realized that my greatest strength—my ability to care deeply—was also becoming my greatest weight.
Reflection is a form of spiritual decluttering. To make room for the new, I’ve officially "unsubscribed" from these five patterns:
Self-Doubt: That quiet whisper that asks "who are you to do this?" I’m trading that doubt for a teacher-tested trust in my own journey.
People-Pleasing: I’ve learned that "No" is a complete sentence and a vital tool for self-preservation.
Putting Myself Last: I’m moving away from the "martyr" mindset. Taking care of myself isn't selfish; it’s the only way I can sustainably take care of you.
Coming from Lack: I’m leaving behind the fear that there isn't enough success or joy to go around.
The Grip of Control: This was the big one. I realized that my "care" had become a laser focus on outcomes. I was trying to steer the storm instead of learning how to dance in the rain.
If I had to summarize my goal for 2026 in one word, it’s Insouciant.
It’s a beautiful, lighthearted word. It means to be free from concern, indifferent to the weight of expectations, and untroubled by the "what ifs."
To some, "insouciant" might sound like "careless." But for those of us who care deeply, it’s actually a superpower. It’s the ability to put your whole heart into something—a class, a design, a relationship—and then have the grace to let it go. It’s the "Not my circus, not my monkeys" approach to life. It’s about being free to try, and free to fail, without it defining your worth.
Choosing a word is easy; living it is the practice. Here is how I am reminding myself to stay in that "insouciant" flow when life gets heavy:
We are living in a reactive world. Someone sends a sharp email, or a plan falls through, and our "first reaction" is often defensive or anxious. This year, my practice is to stop going with my first reaction. Before I speak, type, or worry, I take a breath. I ask: "Is this my circus?" Usually, the answer is no. By pausing, we give ourselves the space to choose a response that is light and free, rather than one born of a need to control.
On the mat, insouciance looks like moving for the joy of it, rather than the "perfect" alignment. When I’m in a challenging Pilates series or a deep yoga stretch, I remind myself to find the ease within the effort. If you can smile while your core is burning, you’ve found the secret.
If your are London based come to a class YOGA & PILATES
Or check our the eluroom channel on YouTube with plenty of tips and tricks to give yourself 5 minutes - yes that is all you need.
As a yoga teacher people often say they are not ‘good’ at meditations. It’s not something you can be good or bad at. When I first started I mistakenly thought it was about trying to "empty" my mind (an impossible task!). Instead, it’s practicing being the observer. The mind thinks and no thoughts are really good or bad it is playing out scenarios. Giving yourself time to watch the thoughts noticing which ones are on a loop and if they really serve. It’s an interfering process to notice we might have had the same thought sfor years and often they are not even our own but something we have heard. Let them wash across like clouds drifting across the sky.
This is why I designed Eluroom the way I did. Sometimes, we need a physical reminder to stay in our magic. Whether it’s a butterfly brooch motif on your lapel or the moon crest on your back, use symbols as a visual anchor. Every time you catch a glimpse of these symbols in the mirror, let it be a reminder to breathe and come back to your word.
As we step into this new calendar year, I invite you to join me in this space of self-realization. What are you leaving behind? What word is calling to your soul?
Let's move into 2026 with a little less weight on our shoulders and a little more magic in our step.
For more why not try a DOSE OF JOY
With insouciance and joy
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