How to Shake Things Up in 2026 — Without Burning Out By Andrea Barr | Career & Life Coach for Parents
Ep. 106 of All Figured Out Podcast
We’ve officially entered the home stretch of the year—Q4. It’s cozy, it’s chaotic, it’s pumpkin-spice-fueled… and it’s also a powerful time to pause and reset.
If you’ve been craving change but don’t want to blow up your whole life, this one’s for you. In this solo episode of All Figured Out, I’m sharing how I personally approach reinvention (and how I help my clients do the same) in a way that’s intentional, doable, and actually sustainable.
1. Do a quick eight-part check-in
Before you start changing anything, you need clarity on what actually needs changing.
In Episode 91, I shared my Eight-Part Check-In framework—a simple tool to help you assess which areas of your life feel aligned and which are craving attention.
Grab a notebook or your Notes app and jot down these categories:
Self and well-being
Relationships
Parenting
Community and friendships
Career and purpose
Finances
Home and environment
Fun and growth
Then, rate each area from 1–10. Where are you thriving? Where do you feel depleted? That clarity is everything.
Because if you spend your limited time and money organizing your pantry when what really needs tending is your marriage, you’ll end up feeling more frustrated than fulfilled.
2. Reduce by 20%
Instead of aiming for a full life overhaul, start by lightening the load—just a little.
Where can you make things 20% easier?
Could you skip one kid activity this season or carpool with another parent?
Could you simplify dinners by using a meal service (Fresh Prep is my go-to)?
Could you automate a few errands or ask that neighbor who’s always offering Costco runs to actually grab something for you?
Small, 20% tweaks make a big difference. They create space—mental, emotional, and physical—for the things that truly matter.
3. Find community everywhere
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned lately is that community doesn’t have to look one way.
It’s your business mastermind, your school pickup crew, your neighborhood walk buddy, even the person at your nail salon who greets you by name.
When you’re trying to shake things up, community is the key to courage. Surround yourself with people who inspire you to think differently, grow differently, and remind you that you’re not alone in figuring it out.
If something you crave doesn’t exist yet? Maybe it’s yours to create.
4. Quiet your mind (for real this time)
Everywhere you turn, someone’s telling you to meditate—and yes, there’s truth in that. But quieting your mind doesn’t have to look like sitting cross-legged with your eyes closed.
Try these instead:
A podcast-free drive
A silent walk
Lying on the floor with your legs up the wall
A hot shower with no distractions (bonus: the best ideas often come here)
Free-flow journaling—just letting the words spill without editing
The point is to let your own thoughts surface. Your intuition can’t be heard over constant noise.
5. Invest in the right people at the right time
As a coach, I believe deeply in getting support—but only the kind that fits your season.
That might be a therapist who helps you unpack the hard stuff, a coach who pushes you forward, or a community that holds you accountable. It might also mean saying no to people, spaces, or obligations that no longer serve you.
Be discerning. You deserve the right fit—not just more noise or obligation disguised as help.
6. Give yourself permission to work in sprints
If you’re someone who thrives in bursts of energy and focus, embrace it. You don’t have to sustain the same pace all year long.
Push during the seasons that feel energized (hello, October and November), then intentionally slow down. Think of it like business and life intervals—effort and rest, yang and yin.
It’s not inconsistency; it’s rhythm.
7. Don’t wait until your body (or life) is screaming
Whether it’s your health, your relationship, or your energy, don’t wait until it all hits crisis mode to make changes.
Small, proactive investments—like a therapy session before burnout hits, or a meal plan before the week gets chaotic—can save you months of recovery later.
It’s self-leadership, not self-indulgence.
Final thoughts: Clarity before chaos
If you want to shake things up in 2026, you don’t need a total reinvention—you need alignment.
Start small. Check in with yourself. Reduce what drains you. Add in what lights you up. Find your people. Get quiet. Invest wisely.
You don’t need a new version of yourself. You just need to reconnect with the one that’s already there.
About Andrea Barr, host of All Figured Out
Andrea is a certified career and life coach for parents. Through her coaching, she supports parents in finding better work-life rhythms so they can continue to grow personally and professionally without sacrificing family time.
Connect with Andrea via Instagram here.
