A new year has emerged. Per usual, multiple people are posting their new year resolutions, goals and plans for the year.
However, these goals will not be adequately met if one does not actively inculcate habits that ensure to not only lead us to those goals, but also ensure we are whole and well rounded.
It can look as simple as ensuring to sleep at a certain time. Or not waking up to your phone or to social media. All of these habits add up to our ability to move forward.
In our latest listicle, Urban Woman Magazine asked some women to share what habits they are cultivating in 2026.
Read their responses below.
PE
I have three habits I am trying to cultivate this year.
1. Eating healthy: I want to reduce my noodles and soda intake. I will achieve this by eating more fruits and veggies and wherever I want to take noodles I will add different veggies.
2. Stop Shouting: I want to intentionally stop shouting. I will achieve this by constantly reminding myself that I can talk and be firm without necessarily shouting.
3. Reading my Bible: I have a daily reading plan I downloaded to achieve this.
Anietem
This year, I’m going to be more strict.
Strict with my time, strict with relationships, strict with myself and my habits, strict in every sense that matters.
And this strictness is not in a mean way, but just in a way that prioritizes ME more.
If I have an agreement with a client and they go against it, I will be strict in enforcing the consequences. This means that I also have to keep my end of the bargain so I’m not found wanting, so I’ll be much more serious with that.
If hell freezes over this year, and I decide I want to be with a man again, they have less than one strike available. One whiff and they’re gone. I will hold on to my standards this year unapologetically and very strongly, and I will not be compromising them for anybody.
Even with my family. My goal this year is to let people know that I put my money where my mouth is. In my career, my relationships with loved ones, my finances, and every other thing in between.
I also want to drop humility. Especially in my career. I work my ass off, and I need to be loud about it. Regarding work, I also intend to work smarter. My aim is to structure my services in ways that I am working with less clients but still earning well. This requires plenty strictness and audacity, so I’m working to build that.
I already did 2% of all this last year and I saw the results in my life. I’m going harder this year, and I’ve already even started. For example, my siblings spoilt something of mine because of their negligence, and I’ve already let them know I’ll be deducting the cost of the item from the next money they receive from their father, whenever he sends it. Since it passes through my account, it’s easy. I already feel bad and am rethinking my decision, but I’ve bought a gun (figurative gun, sadly😔) to shoot down such feelings.
EBE
This year is simply a continuation of the habits from last year.
1. Not responding to (WhatsApp) DMs of numbers I don’t have saved if they don’t state clearly what the person wants.
2. Not responding to work messages a minute before 9 am on work days.
3. Being unreachable on weekends except it’s my side hustle.
5. Planning a lot but watching my body so I don’t work when I’m tired. 2025 was a lot but I think I was able to prioritise rest in-between the five million things I do.
6. Saying no to requests for my time and energy if it’s not convenient and not explaining myself. Once in a while, sure, I’ll go out of my way for a loved one, but you can’t pour from an empty cup.
7. Going to the gym. It’s more mental than physical at this point. It is like an anti-anxiety pill.
AAO
Treating myself like a child…healthy diet, movement and reward for good work.
Angel Nduka-Nwosu is a writer, journalist and editor. She moonlights occasionally as a podcaster on As Angel Was Sayin’. Catch her on all socials @asangelwassayin.