Rebrand for 2026: ins, outs goals & more - Ep 84
The start of a new year always brings a special kind of energy. There’s something hopeful about waking up on January 1st with 365 brand-new days ahead of you and the feeling that anything is possible. But instead of burning everything down and starting over, this episode of Create & Consume is all about finding a new direction for 2026 while building on what you’ve already created.
In this episode, I’m sharing how I like to harness that “fresh start” feeling in a realistic, sustainable way—by choosing a word of the year, reflecting on wins, setting intentional goals, creating ins and outs, and getting excited about what’s ahead.
Create & consume:
What Austen is creating this week: The Glow Up Series on YouTube. This is a 4-part series designed to help you start the year feeling aligned, confident, and motivated.
Episode 1: Goal setting + vision board
Episode 2: Glow up (style & confidence tips)
Episode 3: Life-changing daily habits
Episode 4: A creative winter morning routine
What Austen is consuming this week: Season 5 of Emily in Paris. The fashion and friendship storylines are always fun to watch.
In this episode:
Why choose a word of the year?
If you’re feeling a little lost or overwhelmed by big resolutions, choosing a word of the year can give you a sense of direction without pressure. Think of it as a personal mantra—something that guides your decisions, mindset, and goals throughout the year.
Your word can apply to your career, personal life, or overall growth. Over the years, my words have been:
2021: Refine
2022: Build
2023: Amplify
2024: Align
2025: Enjoy
For 2026, my word of the year is confidence—showing up more boldly, trusting myself, and owning my expertise.
Celebrating wins from 2025
Before rushing into new goals, it’s so important to pause and reflect. Doing a goal audit helps you see how far you’ve come, what gaps you closed, and what still needs attention.
Some of my biggest wins from 2025 include:
Buying and renovating our first home
Getting my blog accepted into Mediavine
Being featured on the YouTube blog
Relaunching my digital course as evergreen
Trademarking the podcast
Celebrating these moments builds momentum and confidence going into the new year. I also like to track my goals in this Notion planning hub.
Setting intentional goals
When it comes to goal setting, I’m a big believer in the SMART framework:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Time-bound
Instead of focusing only on outcomes, work backwards and identify the actions that are actually within your control. From there, schedule goals quarterly and monthly so they feel manageable.
For a deeper dive into my goal-setting process (and how I do a full audit), be sure to check out episode 1 of The Glow Up Series.
Top 3 career goals
For 2026, I’m narrowing my focus and prioritizing three main career goals:
Growing my YouTube channel to 100,000 subscribers
Furnishing my home office and turning it into a functional content studio
Stepping further into expert status with more press, speaking engagements, TV, and podcast features
Top 3 personal goals
On the personal side, I’m setting goals that support balance, fulfillment, and joy:
Taking a big international trip with Andrew
Volunteering with PanCAN for PurpleStride
Reading 26 books this year
Ins for 2026
Here’s what I’m intentionally welcoming into my life this year:
Early dinner reservations
Quality over quantity
Analog hobbies (reading, watercolors, baking)
Social media breaks
Side quests (mini trips and fun projects)
Mindful consumption
Giving yourself grace
Date nights (with a partner or solo!)
Actively listening
Having a bedtime
Creating intentional community (book club, local events, monthly dinner parties)
Enjoying your rent or mortgage
Sunscreen every single day
Outs for 2026
And just as important—what I’m leaving behind:
Scrolling first thing in the morning
Judging what makes other people happy
Worrying about what I can’t control
Comparison
Overworking
Spending energy where it isn’t appreciated
X / Twitter
Feel free to use these as inspiration and create your own list of ins and outs for 2026.
What you’re looking forward to
Looking ahead is one of my favorite parts of a new year. In 2026, I’m especially excited about:
Travel: Catskills, West Palm, Boston, and the Outer Banks
Milestones: Weddings, marathons, moves, and career pivots
The little things: Settling into our home, discovering neighborhood coffee shops, and enjoying slower routines
Podcast feedback
I’d love your input on what you want more of on Create & Consume in 2026. Some of the most-loved episodes from 2025 included:
I’m already planning a winter favorites episode and a spring 2026 fashion guide—so let me know what else you’d love to see.
Summary
2026 doesn’t require a total reinvention—it’s about choosing a direction, building on your wins, and moving forward with intention and confidence. Whether you’re setting big goals or simply refining your daily habits, this year is full of possibility.
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