The new year often arrives with a familiar script: This is the year I’ll finally improve myself. I set this and that as resolutions. Most probably you would like to fix your flaws, optimize your routines, and transform yourself into paragons of productivity. Or you would like to practice regularly physical activity, better eating, play with your kids, and finally start to say “no”. But what if, instead of chasing self-improvement, you committed to something far simpler, and far more radical? What if 2026 became the year you prioritized pleasure?
Not the fleeting, guilt-laden kind, but the deep, vibrant joy that comes from doing what genuinely lights you up. The kind of pleasure that doesn’t wait for permission or for everything else to be “perfect.” The kind that reminds you, as writer and psychotherapist Bruce Tift puts it, that “claiming we are problematic means we don’t have to engage with our lives fully”.
The Myth of Self-Improvement
We’ve been sold a story: that happiness is a reward for fixing ourselves first. But here’s the truth: You don’t need to earn the right to enjoy your life. The pursuit of self-improvement can become a trap, a way to postpone living while we’re busy “getting ready.” As Tift notes, “We have a good excuse not to show up” when we’re convinced we’re not yet good enough.
This year, consider an alternative. Instead of focusing on what’s “wrong” with you, ask: What makes me feel alive? The answer might surprise you. It could be as simple as reading for hours without interruption, cooking a meal just for the joy of it, or walking in nature without tracking your steps.
Objections for Doing What You Want
Objection 1: “I’m too busy.” Busyness is a modern badge of honor, but it’s also a distraction from what matters. Research shows that people who carve out time for activities they love—whether it’s painting, hiking, or even napping—report lower stress and higher life satisfaction. The key isn’t finding time; it’s making it.
Objection 2: “What if I just waste my time?” The fear of laziness is overrated. As David Brooks writes, “If you want to win the war for attention, don’t try to say ‘no’ to distractions. Say ‘yes’ to what arouses a terrifying longing”. When you’re truly engaged in something you love, the pull of mindless scrolling or binge-watching fades.
Objection 3: “The world is on fire—how can I focus on myself?” Here’s the paradox: When you’re fulfilled, you’re more effective at helping others. Joy isn’t selfish; it’s sustainable fuel. As Howard Thurman (often paraphrased) said, “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
How to Start: Small, Joyful Acts
- Identify Your “Terrifying Longing” What activity makes you lose track of time? Writing? Dancing? Gardening? Start there. Even 10 minutes a day counts.
- Replace “Should” with “Want” Instead of I should exercise, ask: What movement do I enjoy? Swap the gym for a dance class or a walk in the park.
- Embrace the Marshmallow Principle The famous marshmallow experiment praised delayed gratification, but life isn’t about hoarding uneaten marshmallows. Eat the marshmallow. Do the thing that brings you joy now, not after you’ve “earned” it.
- Protect Your Pleasure Guard your joy. Schedule it. Defend it. Let it be non-negotiable.
The Radical Act of Being Present
The greatest gift of prioritizing pleasure? Presence. When you’re doing what you love, you’re not scrolling, worrying, or waiting for the next thing. You’re here, fully, vibrantly alive.
This year, let go of the myth that you must “fix” yourself before you deserve joy. You are already enough. And the world needs people who are alive, not people who are endlessly preparing to live.
This year, I decided I will start working part-time, to prepare for my retirement in two years. I will have more time to dedicate to my yoga and Pilates classes, to read and to travel.
What about you? Are there any small pleasure you’ll prioritize this year? Share in the comments, I’d love to hear how you’re reclaiming your joy.
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