I’ve never been a “New Year, new me” person. The whole ritual of resolutions feels a bit forced, but I do love a challenge!

Calming the sense of constant crisis

One habit I’d love to see disappear is the constant sense of urgency the industry is obsessed with. 

I’ve noticed this so often in the wider industry and, if I’m honest, creeping into my own way of working too. It’s easy to get caught up in the adrenaline and pass that stress on to others. My resolution is to challenge that culture, starting with myself. I want to ask: “Does this really need to be urgent, or am I just defaulting to panic mode?” Breaking this habit means giving ourselves grace, planning properly, and remembering that not every project has to feel like a fire drill.

Grounded strategy, not spinning plates

As a digital strategist, my days are full of metrics, platforms and paid media plans. I love the techie side of my role, but my brain often runs on overdrive. At the end of a busy day, I feel like I’ve run a marathon, even if I’ve just sat at my desk.

My resolution is to create boundaries that allow deeper focus. That means hiding notifications, resisting constant distractions, and giving my brain space to breathe. I read that it takes seven minutes to refocus after an interruption - a reminder that endless Teams pings and emails aren’t just annoying, they’re costly. In 2026, I want to own more calm and inspire colleagues to do the same.

Embrace blunt honesty (the Bulgarian way)

I grew up in Bulgaria, and blunt feedback is the norm there. People don’t sugar‑coat things; they just say the harsh truths, and they’re taken as standard feedback. When I moved to Scotland, I quickly learned to soften my delivery, but sometimes, softening means you lose the essence of the point you’re making.

In 2026, I want to reclaim some of that directness. Respectful, clear feedback saves time and builds stronger teams. If something wasn’t done properly, let’s say it, fix it, and move on together. My resolution is to be more honest in conversations at work - not cruel, not careless, but clear. It’s a habit I think would benefit everyone: less hedging, fewer apologies, more constructive truth‑telling...and better work at the end of it.

Reframing strategy as inspiration

People often think strategy is about spreadsheets and maths. My partner has a maths degree and laughs when I call myself a strategist, because I’m not numbers‑obsessed in the way he is. For me, strategy is about inspiration.

We’re trying to inspire creatives with what we know from the data. That means distilling insights that spark ideas. One of my favourite examples came from colleagues working on our train clients: they took teams out on trains so they could feel what passengers feel. I want to do more of that myself - stepping into the platforms (or literally onto the train platforms!) I’m planning for, experiencing ads as users would, and bringing that perspective back to the creative process. Less desk‑bound assumption, more real‑world inspiration.

Make 2026 More Zen

If there’s a theme running through my resolutions, it’s calm. This year, I deleted my social media apps, took up reading, and found joy in mindful hobbies. Now I want to bring that grounding into my professional life.

Let’s remember to enjoy ourselves. Savour the moments. For me, breaking bad habits isn’t about punishing myself. It’s about creating space for better ones, and that means more zen energy, more honest feedback, deeper focus, and a calmer, more inspiring way of working.