The Esthitude Place

One of the ‘words’ that stood out to me at the beginning of 2025 was this: a year of years.

By that, I understood 2025 to be a year that marked the beginning of a series of occurrences that would span beyond twelve months. Five years. Ten years. Maybe even more.

So, as I prepared for 2026, taking time to listen and discern the heart of God for the year ahead, it began to make sense why some things did not feel like a fresh start. They felt like a continuation.

For me, 2025 was a foundational year. The experiences I had, the systems I put in place, and the lessons I learnt were not accidental. They were laying the groundwork for growth and scale beyond a single year.

So, if the new year doesn’t feel new,

if it feels like a deeper immersion into waters you are already swimming in,

if many of the things on your vision board are still very much alive,

you are not alone.

Grab a cuppa tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. This space is for you.

Let’s start here: you do not have to wait for a new year to start something new. Every day you are alive is a new day, offering the grace to begin again.

Some years ago, I shared a post asking a simple question: Are new years really new? I was genuinely curious about why we treat a change in date as though it automatically resets everything.

In reality, a new year is simply another date on the Gregorian calendar. Yet it is also a helpful marker. Just as we recognise seasons like winter, spring, summer, and autumn, we use years to number our days, reflect on time passing, and apply our hearts to wisdom.

The beauty of this is that God is not confined by our calendars. He exists outside of time, yet He faithfully works within it. He is never rushed, never late, and never constrained by dates. Glory.

Insert screenshot here.

You do not have to wait for a new year to start again. Share on X

With that perspective in place, let’s talk about how to approach life and seasons like this.

Life is not a sprint. It is a marathon.

While none of us knows how long we will live, many of us have already spent at least eighteen years on this earth. What if, from this point forward, you chose to think beyond annual goals?

What if you paid closer attention to the quality of life you are building, the relationships you are nurturing, and the kind of person God is shaping you to become?

When you see life this way, you begin to realise that not every year is meant to feel brand new. Some years are designed to take you deeper. Deeper in understanding. Deeper in maturity. Deeper in your dependence on God, because our lives truly depend on Him.

This also means that some years will carry a recurring theme, while others may hold multiple themes at once.

The key to discerning your year is anchoring it in God.

My times are in Your hand… – Psalm 31:15

God is the Alpha and the Omega, the One who formed us and knows the plans He has for us. If this is true, then seeking His wisdom for how to approach the year ahead is not optional; it is essential. While there will always be familiar responsibilities and rhythms, there may also be specific areas He is inviting you to focus on. You will only discover these by seeking His face.

As I mentioned earlier, 2025 was a year of years for some of us. It set the tone for five, ten, or even more years to come. For that reason, I will not be taking down my vision board from last year. Instead, I am creating another one to build on what already exisits.

You may still be working towards goals you set last year, perhaps with clearer perspective or renewed vigour. You may need to retain the systems you put in place last year, and that is perfectly fine.

Continuation is not failure. Often, it is wisdom.

God is the Alpha and the Omega, the One who formed us and knows the plans He has for us. If this is true, then seeking His wisdom for how to approach the year ahead is not optional; it is essential. Share on X

In summary

• It is okay if the year does not feel new
• Anchor the year in God
• Lean on God consistently, not occasionally
• Set yourself up for success with scalable systems
• Make room for rest
• Review your goals and vision board regularly
• Build, and be part of, helpful communities

Tools for your becoming as you begin the new year

• Read this post on End-of-Year Decluttering: Faith, Mindset, and Lifestyle Reset for a New Season
• Schedule a Year-End Review, if you haven’t
• A Bible plan on Prayer I found helpful on YouVersion – http://bible.com/r/H6t
• Get my prayer journal template on Selar (in Nigeria) or Amazon. It is a year of breakthrough through prayers.
• The Bible plan I used to finally read my Bible through in a year (more deets on this in another post)
• Schedule regular rhythms of rest throughout the year using my Rest Journal Guide

This year, you can expect more from The Esthitude Place:

• A redesigned website
• More events
• Books and resources for your becoming
• Challenges and community engagement

 

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Happy New Year, 2026.

With love and light always,

Esthitude