Make 2026 the year you do more of what makes you feel alive

An argument for 2026: spend more of your limited time on activities you genuinely enjoy, and focus on leading a more absorbing life rather than constantly trying to fix yourself. The idea will draw objections — that you’re too busy, that it’s a privilege to suggest such a thing, that the economy or AI threaten jobs, that you must sort out procrastination, diet or fitness first, or that it’s selfish while the planet and politics are in crisis.

Some fear simply becoming idle and unproductive. The piece rejects those objections, arguing that doing more of what you want will likely improve health, wellbeing and feelings of control, and could even benefit society. It critiques the familiar self‑improvement model that assumes something is wrong and prescribes disciplined daily fixes, noting this can turn every day into a grind and become an excuse not to fully engage with life.

As the psychotherapist Bruce Tift observes, claiming we are problematic can keep us from showing up. One common problem is excessive online time. Tools and strict rules often fail. The author found a tiny device called Brick useful because it requires physical effort to regain phone access — but more reliable is being so absorbed in real activities that the phone simply disappears from mind.

Winning the battle for attention, the article argues, means saying yes to a compelling subject that crowds out trivial distractions.

Key Topics

Health, Bruce Tift, David Brooks, Katherine Martinko, Brick, Howard Thurman