“Everyone around me seems excited for next year - but I just feel anxious and unsure. What if 2026 is even harder than this year?” 

If this is how you’re feeling, you’re far from alone. Many people tell us exactly this at the start of the year. 

Let’s start with a reassurance about feeling anxious. We know from neuroscience that worrying about the future is perfectly normal - your brain is attempting to anticipate and prepare for potential threats.  But although normal, it’s not particularly helpful. 

The good news: we can diffuse worry and turn it into helpful actions to prepare for next year. 

Step 1: Find a safe space to get that worry out.  It could be talking with friends, journalling individually, or speaking to NABS.  We find our callers experience a huge relief in talking to someone a step removed from their daily life. 

Step 2: Acknowledge anxiety is a message from your brain telling you: “it’s time to act”. So, what’s in your control and what action can you take? 

We often use the analogy, ‘You can’t pour from an empty cup.’ Consider what fulfilling activities you can do to replenish your cup. It could be exercise, being outside in fresh air, reading, spending time with friends and family, or a restorative hour in front of the TV at the end of a long day. 

Sometimes life knocks these activities out of kilter. This is your invitation to regain control of the things that make you feel your best self. 

You’ll find that being present is a common thread in these fulfilling activities. They’re grounding activities that force you to be in the moment, which makes the future feel less overwhelming. A simple mantra –“be where your feet are” – is neat reminder to help you focus on the present. 

Let’s also acknowledge the feeling that everyone else seems to be excited for next year. Maybe they are. Maybe they’re putting on their outside world mask to get through the day. Either way, remember comparison is the thief of joy. So don’t worry about the others, run your own race. 

At NABS, 2024 was our biggest year on record for calls, and 2026 is showing signs of remaining on par. There may be a reassurance to know you’re not the only person feeling the strain. A third of our calls centre on offering emotional support. We create a space for a caller to talk through pressures relating to job loss, restructures, finances and feeling overwhelmed at the pace the industry is moving. 

There’s a power in saying it aloud. The NABS Support Team will offer a space to do that before touching on practical pointers that’ll help your situation too. If, for instance, talking it through uncovers your anxiety is specifically due to the job market and finding another role, we can steer toward NABS’ brilliant workshops and 1:1 support. 

A common question we ask on the NABS Advice Line is: “What do you need most from your manager/partner/family?” 

To give one example, if work has been relentless and you’re concerned about the impact on you going into next year, a call with NABS could help explore what you need most from your manager, and how to approach the conversation. 

Even in the dark hours of winter, there’s also a reminder from me, someone you don’t know, that it’s ok to do nothing. Nothing is great. Nothing is vital. If it is possible to have some downtime, permission is given to not feel guilty about prioritising rest. We schedule birthdays and dinners and meet-ups, but are often less likely to block out some time on a Saturday for rest  *opens phone calendar*. 

There’s a final thought to share; this year can be whatever you want it to be. 2026 might bring challenges. It might bring opportunities.  It will certainly bring both expected and unexpected moments, like every year before it. But you don’t have to meet any of it alone. 

Find the ingredients that will fill your cup up. They’ll equip you for what the future brings. Think intentionally about what actions and decisions are in your control, set boundaries to give yourself time for rest, and keep the conversation going with NABS. We’re in your corner. 

Contact NABS for support with any of these issues: nabs.org.uk