Why New Year's Resolutions Feel Stressful

In the first episode of 2026, Alyssa and Nadia tackle New Year's resolutions—though both admit the concept stresses them out. The conversation explores intention-setting, the pressure of documentation, and balancing productivity with presence.

Alyssa's resolution is simple: "be a good person." Despite finding resolutions stressful, she sets many because documenting intentions feels necessary for them to manifest. Nadia's longer list centers on one theme: not taking things too seriously. She gets caught up in work and school, forgetting to find beauty in everyday moments. Her goals focus on being more intentional, mindful, spontaneous, and present.

A vulnerable moment comes when Nadia reflects on 2025. Looking at photos on New Year's Eve made her emotional—she'd done so many fun things but hadn't appreciated them in the moment, too focused on stressful details. The beginning of the year was particularly hard with unproductive scheduling and environmental fatigue, but she became more intentional after summer.

Alyssa prefers steady year-round improvement over intense January goal-setting that fizzles out. She's planned concrete activities for 2026, including hosting a retreat in October that she hopes will become part of her career progression.

Nadia is starting MCAT prep this semester while working. She's scheduled study time in advance day-by-day, making it non-negotiable while leaving room for fun. Her MCAT books arrive the next day, with Mondays as potential off-days.

The episode ends with podcast reflections. Last semester was mostly them chatting, often about Nadia. For 2026, they want to explore topics Nadia is passionate about and bring on guests—particularly graduating friends reflecting on their college experiences and post-graduation decisions.

Takeaways

• Documentation of intentions can feel necessary for manifestation, even if it creates pressure
• Sometimes the simplest resolutions ("be a good person") are the most encompassing
• Looking back on a year through photos can reveal joy you didn't fully appreciate in the moment
• Getting caught up in stress and annoyances can prevent you from savoring experiences as they happen
• The same situation can be viewed negatively or positively—perspective is a choice
• Steady, year-round effort may be more sustainable than intense January goal-setting that fades
• Pre-scheduling important activities (like MCAT study time) makes them non-negotiable and creates space for fun
• Planning your entire semester day-by-day can help balance major responsibilities with enjoyment
• Recording what you like (books, movies, experiences) helps you remember and articulate your preferences
• Being too caught up in perfectionism or curated presentation can prevent authentic enjoyment
• It's valuable to identify what you want to change versus what you want to keep the same

Chapters

0:10–0:32 – Introduction: First Episode of 2026

0:32–1:41 – Why New Year's Resolutions Feel Stressful

1:41–3:23 – The Superstition of Setting Intentions & Documentation

3:23–5:27 – Alyssa's Simple Resolution: Be a Good Person

5:27–7:31 – Nadia's Theme: Not Taking Things Too Seriously

7:31–8:13 – Finding Beauty Beyond the Perfect Picture

8:13–10:05 – Looking Back on 2025

10:05–11:30 – Why Alyssa Doesn't Like Setting Resolutions

11:30–12:13 – What Nadia Wants to Change vs. Keep the Same

12:13–14:24 – Planning Ahead: Alyssa's October Retreat & Nadia's MCAT Prep

14:24–15:57 – Podcast Plans for 2026: Bringing on Graduating Seniors

15:57–16:31 – Closing: Wishing Everyone Gets What They're Intending