On New Year’s Eve, the hopes and dreams of hundreds of thousands of people rained down on revelers in New York City’s Times Square.
“In 2026, I hope to be on track to commission as an Army officer.”
“We wish to become parents.”
“I’m wishing for spiritual growth.”
“I wish for a good year with good people.”
Through December at New York City’s Wishing Wall, people from all over the globe jotted down handwritten hopes and dreams for the new year on tiny pieces of colorful confetti paper. Organizers even printed out online submissions for those who couldn’t get to the Big Apple in person.
“I wish to love harder, be more patient and listen better.”
“My wish is to never lose sight of who I want to be.”
“We wish for more adventures together.”
“I wish to be with friends.” (said one adorable little boy)
When the ball dropped at the stroke of midnight, every one of those hopes burst into the sky like inert particles just waiting to come to life.
“I wish that AI doesn’t take over the world.”
“I wish to be able to play volleyball at an Olympic level.”
“My wish is to fall in love.”
“I wish for harmony in my family.”
Some spoke of personal aspirations, but many cast a broader net.
“I wish for a kinder, peaceful world for my grandchildren to live in.”
“A healthy and happy year for my parents this year.”
“I wish for life to get a little bit lighter for all of us.”
“Abundant blessings for my family and all of humanity.”
“I wish for an end to the divisions in our world.”
“I wish for more love and kindness in 2026.”
One woman named Donna contributed a long list of wishes she’d collected from more than a dozen family members.
“Happiness, good health, prosperity…I just love that my family’s energy is going to be part of [this collective vision of hope].”
Hope, though, is more than wishful thinking. As noted in the New York Times this morning, optimism “is the belief that the future will be better.” But hope, according to the director of the Hope Research Center in Oklahoma, “is the belief ‘that we have the power to make it so.’”
As beautiful and symbolic a gesture it is, it’s not enough to just throw your hopes up in the air in Times Square on New Year’s Eve…or even put them on your own list of New Year’s resolutions.
For your hopes and dreams to come true, you’ve got to do the work to nudge them into reality.
How do you get started? Focus on what you care about most and make a plan.
Why resolutions aren’t the best choice
Nearly half of us set New Year’s resolutions – lose 10 pounds in six weeks, get up at 6am to go to the gym every weekday, stay off screens after 8pm every day – but less than ten percent keep them long-term. About a quarter drop them by the end of the first week, and nearly two-thirds give up by the end of January.
Resolutions tend to be rigid and unforgiving, which sets you up to fail right from the start. Life happens. We need flexibility.
Setting intentions instead
Setting intentions instead of resolutions is more realistic and carries deeper meaning. Intentions are purpose-driven, focusing on why you’re doing something instead of just what you’re doing. Your why will motivate you through challenges like nothing else can.
Intentions should be just broad enough to allow flexibility when real life comes at you, but specific enough to keep moving in the right direction. Let’s say you want to prioritize your health this year. Instead of stating you want to “be healthier” in 2026, saying you’re going to “move your body more every day” (by parking further away or taking a walk on your lunch break instead of scrolling on your phone) is more likely to yield results. It’s concrete enough that you’ll think about how to do it every day, but it’s flexible to allow for a change in plans. If you have to work through lunch, you can take a walk after dinner instead. You still get it done.
Intentions don’t let you off the hook. They just allow for flexibility when life goes off script.
Choosing a word for the year
Some people take intention-setting a step further by choosing a word to guide their year. A single word is easier to remember than a list of resolutions and keeps your actions aligned with your intentions as you journey through the year.
I’ve never chosen a word before, but “curious” keeps popping into my mind lately so I’m trying it on for size. Being curious requires intellectual humility – admitting you have much to learn – and an open heart. I’m curious about things that will make me a better informed or more well-rounded individual. But I’m also curious about other people. What makes them tick? What’s happening with them? And how can we help better each other’s lives, even with the smallest actions?
I can’t think of a better place to kick off the year.
Whatever approach you take, just start somewhere.
Donna from Times Square was right. Being even a tiny part of a larger vision of possibility is inspiring. For 2026, we’ve got a lot of work to do, and it’s going to take all of us. But if we all do our part in our little corner of the world, anything’s possible. So let’s get to it!
Happy New Year! Here’s to making a difference in 2026!
