2026 is the Year of Alignment: What to Release, What to Plant, What to Move Forward

Have you ever felt that weird pressure at the start of a new year—like you’re supposed to wake up on January 1st and suddenly be a brand-new person? Because Monique and I are here at the very beginning of 2026 to lovingly call BS on that… and to offer a way better option: choose again.This is our first episode of 2026, and honestly, it felt so good to be back in the studio together after the holiday swirl. We’ve been doing this podcast for almost three years now (wild), and every time we sit down, it feels like coming home—to ourselves, to each other, and to the bigger conversations we know women need.So today, we wanted to kick off the year by sharing a handful of rituals and reflection tools that we actually use—things that help us lift our heads up, look around, and ask: Am I awake at the wheel of my own life… or am I running on autopilot?We talk numerology (hello, nine-year cycles), astrology (Year of the Snake → Year of the Horse energy), and the surprisingly deep way ChatGPT can help you reflect when you prompt it with intention. But mostly? We talk about what it means to actively participate in your life—not just react to it.Key Themes + TakeawaysYou don’t need a new year to begin again. You can choose again in any moment—today, tomorrow, mid-week, mid-mess.We’re moving from “autopilot” to “driver’s seat.” Not controlling everything… but consciously co-creating with life, with God/the Universe/your higher power.Reflection doesn’t have to be vague. We share journaling prompts that force you (gently) to tell the truth—what was hard, what was beautiful, what you learned.Alignment is the assignment. Whether it’s relationships, business, or time/wealth mindset—when something feels off, it’s information.Fear isn’t proof you’re failing—sometimes it’s proof you’re growing. Old programming shows up right before the leap, and you get to re-parent yourself through it.Our Favorite Quotes“Stop f’ing around, stop playing small. What do you want to do? Do the thing.”“Begin again. Choose again. It’s never too late to turn over a new leaf.”“Automation zones are great… but in your life, you need to be in the driver’s seat.”“Thank you for showing up, fear… but this is not that.”“Design your own life instead of letting your life be designed for you.”Chapter Markers00:00 Happy New Year + “Hello, future you”02:24 Numerology: 9-year cycles + why 2026 is a “Year One”04:12 Snake → Horse energy: shedding, then movement and alignment05:52 Mariah’s ChatGPT birth chart deep dive (and why it felt so seen)11:54 The pressure of New Year’s + the practice of “begin again”15:32 Why quarterly reflections (90 days) actually work26:19 Intentions: “I want to feel juicy” + less scarcity, less drama37:00 Co-creation + getting back in the driver’s seatYour TurnThis week’s check-in: Where have you been on autopilot lately—and what’s one small way you could put your hands back on the wheel?And if you want a second prompt that’s super simple but oddly powerful:  What do you want to feel more of this year—and what’s currently blocking that feeling?Use this worksheet as your guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rCiDjP0l-NqgDgG7J4CIHDM61iSqfxyz/view?usp=sharing-----All Heart & Soul's Details:Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.heartandsoulmastermind.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join the mastermind program:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.heartandsoulmastermind.com/heartsoul⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Say hi to Mariah on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@mariahmckechnieSay hi to Monique on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@moniqueforcierLeave a review on the Apple Podcast app and the Spotify app: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️MB01DYMDWHKQEEI