At a Glance
- Experts from organization, actuarial science, finance, fitness, and political science discuss end-year transitions.
- Laura Olivares recommends a December brain dump and weekly task planning.
- R. Dale Hall advises separating holiday spending from January financial goals.
Why it matters: These practical tips help people manage emotions, finances, fitness, and civic awareness as the year ends.
As December winds down, a panel of specialists from diverse fields shares actionable advice on how to navigate the emotional, financial, and physical changes that come with the holiday season and the start of a new year.
Organizing the Transition
Laura Olivares recommends a December brain dump and weekly task planning.
Laura Olivares said:
> “Changes, even exciting ones, can unearth sadness or grief over places, things and people left behind. Acknowledging those feelings can help smooth the move from one chapter to another.”
When you let go of something that was meaningful to you, it deserves a moment, she says. “Whatever that moment is, could be a second, could just be an acknowledgement of it. Or maybe you set it on the on the mantle and you think about it for a while and when you’re ready to let it go, you let it go.”
- In December, do a brain dump of thoughts, ideas, and goals.
- Before Jan. 1, schedule tasks that move those priorities forward over 2026.
- Suggest three tasks on each of three days, for nine tasks per week.
Managing Risk and Money
R. Dale Hall emphasizes the unpredictability of risk and the importance of diversification.
R. Dale Hall said:
> “It’s the nature of taking risk, right? That yeah, there are going to be uncontrollable things,” Hall says. “There are ways to maybe diversify those risks or mitigate those risks, but no one has that perfect crystal ball that’s going to see three, six, nine, 12 months into the future.”
Dana Miranda stresses the need for individualized financial strategies.
> “What works for one person may not work for another. And it’s something Americans should consider as another year of goals and resolutions approaches. Insisting that the same technique works for everybody can leave people feeling stuck, Miranda says.”
Hall advises separating holiday spending from January financial goals.
> “Keep ’em separate. He recommends people enjoy the holidays and hold off on financial goals until January.”
Building Sustainable Fitness Habits
Keri Harvey encourages realistic, enjoyable workout plans.
Keri Harvey said:
> “We want to be mindful of making sure that we’re not asking too much or trying to overcompensate for what we feel like we left behind this past year or what we feel like we left on the table this past year,” she says. “It’s very reasonable to try and have the goal of getting to the gym twice a week, maybe three times a week, and then building from there instead of saying ‘Jan. 1, I’m starting, I’m gonna be at the gym five days a week, two hours a day.’ That’s not realistic and it’s not kind to ourselves.”
She also suggests incorporating activities people love.
> “Find things that you actually enjoy doing and try and fit those in as well so that the idea of starting something new or adding to it isn’t one that comes with a negative like, ‘Oh, I don’t want to have to do this,’ where you’re dragging yourself into it.”
Learning from History and Civil Rights
Jeanne Theoharis draws parallels between Rosa Parks and modern activism.
Jeanne Theoharis said:
> “The story of Rosa Parks, remembered as the catalyst of the Montgomery bus boycotts 70 years ago. But when Parks chose to resist, she didn’t know what her arrest would mean or what the outcome would be. Theoharis sees a lesson there for people looking to make change in today’s world and even individuals wanting to evolve.”
She notes that many would act if outcomes were guaranteed.
> “A number of us would be willing to do something brave if we knew that it would work,” Theoharis says. “And we might even be willing to have some consequences. But part of what looking at the actual history of Rosa Parks or the actual history of the Montgomery bus boycott is in fact you have to make these stands with no sense that they will work.”
She emphasizes the need for historical reckoning.
> “Part of how we’ve gotten here is by that … lack of reckoning with ourselves, lack of reckoning with where we are, lack of reckoning with history.”
Key Takeaways
- Decluttering and task planning can ease emotional transitions.
- Separate holiday spending from new-year financial goals to avoid skewed budgeting.
- Start fitness goals small and enjoyable to build sustainable habits.
- Historical lessons, like Rosa Parks, remind us that change often requires bravery without guarantees.
With these expert insights, the end of the year becomes an opportunity to reflect, plan, and act-whether it’s tidying a space, setting realistic budgets, or taking a step toward a healthier, more equitable future.
