241 - Rethinking the New Year: Why “Changing Yourself” Is the Wrong Goal Life Happens

You don’t need to reinvent yourself this year 💫 With all the pressure to “fix” your life overnight and become a brand-new version of yourself, we’re taking a different approach to the new year—one that feels grounded, compassionate, and sustainable. In this week’s episode of Life Happens with Barb & Michelle , we’re answering your questions on how to start the year with clarity and confidence—without stress, overwhelm, or unrealistic expectations. From self-acceptance to pursuing your dreams, this episode is a gentle guide to stepping into a year that loves you back. 💬 Barb shares how she’s redefined purpose and goals in her life, releasing pressure and unrealistic expectations. 💬 Michelle opens up about why self-care can feel “boring,” and how she discovered a practice that actually works in real life. ✨ What We Talk About Starting the year intentionally: Releasing urgency, reframing the “new year pressure,” and letting go of unrealistic timelines Practicing self-care consistently: Finding what supports you without feeling impractical or forced Navigating triggering topics: Knowing your boundaries, honoring your standards, and speaking up when something feels unaligned with your values Approaching goals with grace: Breaking your dreams into realistic milestones while staying connected to what you truly want The pressure to reinvent yourself every January is exhausting. You don’t need a new version of you — you just need more compassion for the person you already are. 📘 USA TODAY BESTSELLER — Dear Friend by Michelle Maros Start 2026 with New Year, Brave You. Dear Friend is the perfect 365-day companion to help you cultivate self-love, clarity, presence, and inner peace—one gentle reflection at a time. ✨ Begin the year with intention and courage. 👉 Order your copy: 🎧 listen to the audiobook today and step into a year that truly loves you back. 👉 Mentioned in the episode: 💛 The Three Gates of Speech Principle: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? 💬 We’d love to hear from you! What insight or moment resonated most with you in this episode? Share in the comments—we truly read every one. 📅

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241 - Rethinking the New Year: Why “Changing Yourself” Is the Wrong Goal Life Happens is an episode from Barb Knows Best by Michelle Maros & Barb Schmidt.

This episode is 00:48:52 long.

This episode was published on Jan 20, 2026.

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