This episode is a little different. After sharing my 2025 reflections on Substack and intentionally celebrating the small wins I usually overlook, I felt a shift in how I wanted to approach the year ahead. That reflection led me to move away from a traditional vision board and toward something that feels more grounded and sustainable: a becoming board. In this episode, I walk you through how I set my intentions for 2026 and why focusing on who I’m becoming feels more aligned than focusing on what I want to achieve.

We explore the idea of honoring natural seasons instead of forcing progress on an arbitrary calendar. I even share a surprising historical lesson about when the new year used to begin and why January 1st became the default. That discovery led me to rethink how I want to use the first few months of the year, which is why I’m focusing on what I’m calling “ministones” from January through March as a way to prepare for the bigger milestones I want to reach later in 2026.

In this episode, I guide you through the exact exercise I used so you can try it for yourself. I reflect on 2025, explain why I’m treating 2026 as a season rather than a checklist, and share the core intentions I’m carrying with me into this year. I also talk about the power of visual reminders, a quote that created a major mindset shift for me, and an evidence-based reel from a behavior change expert that helped everything click. I’ve never felt this energized stepping into a new year, and my hope is that this episode helps you find a more intentional way forward too.

Follow Karin on Instagram: @karinnordinphd: https://www.instagram.com/karinnordinphd/

Links & Resources

💻 Website & Blog:
 https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/

📱Follow KC for daily motor milestone tips & parenting support:
 https://www.instagram.com/milestones.and.motherhood/

🎧 Follow podcast updates & new episode drops:
 https://www.instagram.com/more.than.milestones/

🆓 Get my free tummy time training: Mastering Milestones with Confidence
https://www.milestonesandmotherhood.com/freetraining

📬 Join the email list for milestone tips + podcast updates
https://idyllic-hat-942.myflodesk.com/fwefz61097

🛒 Shop KC’s favorite mom & baby finds:
 https://links.milestonesandmotherhood.com/amazon/amazonstorefrontmm

🤝 Sponsor or guest inquiries?
Contact us at [email protected]

 Go deeper with KC on Substack

More Than Milestones: Unfiltered is my subscription channel where I release 2 exclusive bonus episodes every month. Even more raw, unfiltered motherhood chats you won’t hear anywhere else.

https://substack.com/@morethanmilestones

Love what you’re hearing? Follow, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow mom or caregiver who needs a little less pressure and a little more support. 🤍