26 Unproductive Goals to Feel More Alive in 2026

Lately, I've had this unsettling feeling that I'm watching my life instead of actually living it. The days move fast, the routine feels heavy, and somewhere along the way the fun, curious, light parts of me started to go a little quiet. In this episode, I'm sharing why I'm choosing to maximize this year differently, not by doing more, fixing myself, or becoming a brand-new version of me, but by focusing on presence, joy, and 26 completely unproductive goals meant to help me reconnect with who I am.  That's where my idea for 26 unproductive goals in 2026 came from — a list of things with no productive outcome, no transformation attached, and no purpose other than feeling more alive. We talk about rediscovering your personality, how adulthood and survival mode can slowly dim your "shout," why joy shouldn't be treated like a reward, and how small, unproductive moments can bring you back to life. In this episode, we talk about: Feeling like a spectator in your own life and how that happens so quietly The pressure to constantly optimize, improve, and "fix" yourself The idea of "unproductive goals" and how they help you reconnect with yourself and rediscover your personality Losing your shout, that excitement and brightness of being alive, and how to find it again How adulthood, routine, and survival mode can freeze parts of your personality What my 26 unproductive goals look like (from creativity to solo experiences to childhood interests) How small, joy-led experiences can make life feel meaningful again Gentle reflection questions to help you create your own unproductive goals If you don't necessarily feel lost, but you don't feel fully alive either… this episode is for you. ✨Lets connect on Instagram: @mikalen.co Listen to 'How to Rediscover you Personality' on The Psychology of your 20's Listen to 'How Do You Turn a Setback into a Comeback' on Super Soul with Oprah and Tim Storey