Moving into 2026: A Transition Guide for the New Year

As we reflect on the challenges and growth of 2025, the arrival of 2026 offers a fresh opportunity to reset. For young adults with learning differences, the transition from the unstructured holiday season back to school or work can be difficult. By focusing on these core areas you can ensure a productive and happy start to the year.

1. Reflect and Reset: The 2025 Retrospective

Before jumping into 2026 resolutions, it is essential to look back at the past year with a balanced perspective. At CIP, we use the "Cherry and the Pit" reflection tool to help process experiences without getting stuck in "all-or-nothing" thinking.

• The Cherry: Identify your highlights from 2025. What was a moment of pride, a goal you reached, or a social connection that felt good? Acknowledging your "cherries" builds the confidence you need to tackle the new year.
• The Pit: Identify the challenges or "lows" of 2025. This isn't about dwelling on failure; it’s about identifying where you hit a snag—perhaps a missed deadline, a sensory meltdown, or a budget mistake.
• The 2026 Seed: Look at your "Pit" and ask: What is the lesson inside this? Every pit contains the seed for future growth. If your 2025 pit was feeling lonely, your 2026 seed might be joining one new club or attending a CIP weekend activity.

2. Prioritize Executive Functioning

Executive functioning—the ability to plan, organize, and execute tasks—is often the biggest hurdle. After the holiday break, routines are often disrupted.

• Use Visual Supports: Re-establish your use of planners, wall calendars, or digital checklists. Seeing your day mapped out reduces the anxiety of the unknown.
• Break it Down: When looking at a 2026 project or goal, break it into "micro-steps." If a task feels too big to start, the first step is too large.

3. Re-Establish Your Routine

The "holiday hangover" can linger well into January. Moving into 2026, the most productive thing you can do is reclaim your schedule.

• Consistency is Key: Try to wake up and go to bed at the same time every day, even on weekends.
• The "Launchpad": Prepare for your day the night before. Lay out your clothes, pack your bag, and check your calendar. This prevents "decision fatigue" in the morning.

4. Self-Advocacy: Speak Up for Your Needs

As you enter new classes or work assignments in 2026, remember that people cannot provide support if they don’t know what you need.

• The Strategy: Practice your "elevator pitch" for self-advocacy. This involves clearly stating your strength, your challenge, and the specific accommodation that helps you succeed.
• 2026 Focus: If a specific classroom or office setting in 2025 was overstimulating, advocate for a different seating arrangement or the use of noise-canceling tools early in the new term.

5. Focus on Self-Care and Wellness

A productive year is impossible without a healthy foundation. High levels of "masking" or social exertion can lead to burnout.

• Schedule "Down Time": Treat rest as a mandatory appointment on your calendar.
• Physical Health: Focus on balanced nutrition and movement that feels good to you. Small changes in your diet and sleep hygiene from 2025 can lead to massive improvements in your focus for 2026.

Summary Table: Your 2026 Launch Plan

The New Year isn't about becoming a different person; it's about providing your brain with the structure it needs to be successful.