A New Year Without the Pressure to Become Someone New
By: Emma Walytka
With the new year in full swing, we often feel pressured to step into a newly revamped version of ourselves. We launch ourselves into new diets, enroll in new (and sometimes scarily pricey) workout studios, and buy a 2026 planner embossed with flowers (to symbolize the blooming of a new era, duh). And although on social media we aestheticize the idea of a “New Year's Reset,” it can slip into an all-or-nothing mindset; however, it’s essential to prioritize progress over perfection.
Honestly, I wrote in my 2025 planner for about a week before I fell off and before life, well, happened. And rather than getting an elusive new gym membership, I got a two-week trial because it was too much of an expense. And rather than getting into a new diet, I challenged myself to commit to eating Christmas dinner with my family after struggling with an eating disorder.
Though it may not look glamorous, this is what my New Year's plan looks like. It aligns with my story and values and prioritizes my mental well-being. It's learning that there is nothing more unhealthy than restricting certain foods, to living as an intuitive eater and opting for an outdoor walk to reconnect with nature and one's body. It is choosing this over a month's worth of high-intensity workouts, which were all focused on weight-loss-centric results, and opting for gentle, intuitive movement that meets my body's unique needs. It’s working to maintain built-in breaks in my new spring schedule for self-care time, which is especially important for pre-health students.
So, this New Year, here are my Fierce Four 2026 goals, with a focus on attainability, healthy relationships, and mental wellness at the forefront. As a pre-health student, whether you are facing financial stressors, combating burnout, or feeling a sense of anxiety about the new year, we are here to support your academic journey. And, take my own goals as inspiration, rather than rules to “follow,” and choose to adapt, modify, or simply not take any of them (my feelings will not be hurt).
- Schedule more regular family and friend check-in calls: As college students, our busy schedules and ever-revolving stress from coursework can often take precedence over other priorities. Yet, whether a big or small circle, checking in on our long-distance relationships can say to that person, “I am thinking of you, and you matter,” while also enabling a sense of fulfillment and support for both parties. As a senior in college, I have achieved outstanding grades, secured new leadership positions, and earned semesters with a 4.00 GPA; yet nothing meant more to me than quality time and conversations with the people who make life meaningful. Those moments were what made me, and us, truly happy.
- Make a financial budget that is attainable and fitted to your unique needs and career path: Financials can be stressful, especially with an extra layer being added for pre-health students just this year, as beginning on July 1, 2026, new graduate and professional loans will be subject to new borrowing limits. Check out our October blog on covering the workshop the PHSRC hosted on navigating your professional roadmap to a health profession for additional insight into building attainable items for approaching finances, how to budget properly, and management skills for savings and loans.
- Create an annual “When I’m (insert feeling)” mindmap: Every new year, I make the goal to limit my screentime or, unrealistically, go phoneless before bedtime (post-sleep scrolls are the best, I don’t make the rules). I have found that during extreme points of anxiety, fatigue, sadness, or even joy, I often mindlessly resort to my phone, missing out on points of growth, reflection, and intimate celebration. This year, try making what I refer to as a “feelings mindmap,” one that lists different feelings that you may experience, and then list actionable things you can do during that time, other than screentime. For example, when I am feeling anxious, I list the following activities: Read 20-30 pages of a book, call a friend and check in, complete a paint-by-numbers, or if my time is limited, practice breathwork. When making these lists, it’s vital to make sure they are specific, timely, and realistic to your needs and unique lifestyle.
- Try a new form of movement: Being able-bodied is a privilege, as is being able to afford monthly gym memberships or exclusive new studios. In the Twin-Cities area, Core Power yoga in Northeast Minneapolis offers a Free Community Flow Class (heated), a free first week of classes for First Timers, and even memberships that are HSA/ FSA eligible. Allina Health also offers adaptive fitness classes at Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, which are designed for individuals with disabilities, medical conditions, or those who are actively recovering from injury or illness. They offer Adaptive Spin, Cardio Drumming, Independent Therapeutic Exercise, and more.
Remember, you are not a reset button; you are a human who encounters real-life obstacles and challenges. New Year's resolutions don’t have to be reduced to a pass or fail; rather, they can be viewed as goals that change and evolve with you. With that, Happy New Year to all of our wonderful pre-health students. Life is coming from you, and not at you, and we are so proud of every one of you.