Holiday Mental Health Check In for Thursday, January 1, 2026

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2026 Vibe Check: The Art of Reciprocal Rest & A Zulu Lesson on Love

Happy New Year, fam! Welcome to 2026.

We made it another trip around the sun. Usually, right about now, the internet is screaming at us to hustle harder, optimize our routines, and set impossible goals.

But honestly? I’m looking at the vibe in this image right here, and that is exactly the energy I want to claim for 2026.

Look at that peace. That serenity. That is the face of someone who feels safe, supported, and deeply rested.

But how do we actually achieve that level of calm in a chaotic world? I think the secret isn't just self-care; it’s community care.

While thinking about my intentions for this year, I stumbled across a beautiful piece of wisdom derived from Zulu culture in South Africa that perfectly captures how we get to that peaceful state together.

It’s a proverb that says:

"The cow licks the one that licks her."

Okay, stay with me. It’s a little earthy, but the meaning is profound. In literal terms, cows groom each other; it’s a social bonding thing. If one cow grooms another, the favor is returned.

The deeper meaning is about the cycle of gratitude and reciprocity. It means we take care of those who take care of us.

Moving Beyond "Thank You" in 2026

In the past, my New Year's resolutions were always about me. My gym routine, my savings goals.

But this Zulu proverb challenges us to look outward. We often take the people who support us for granted—the friend who always answers the phone when we’re spiraling, the partner who cooks dinner when we’re exhausted, the parent who helps with the kids.

We say "thank you," sure. But are we "licking them back"? Are we actively returning that care?

That girl in the picture above looks so peaceful not just because she slept well, but likely because she is part of a herd—a community—that ensures she is safe enough to rest that deeply.

The 2026 Challenge: The Cycle of Care

So, here is my proposal for a different kind of New Year's resolution. Let’s make 2026 the year of reciprocity.

Instead of just focusing on self-improvement, let's focus on relationship improvement through mutual acts of service.

If you want to embody the peace in that image, you have to ensure the people in your circle have the capacity to offer it. You have to refill their cups so they can help refill yours.

How to practice "Licking Back" this year:

• Identify your "Herd": Who really showed up for you in 2025? Write their names down.

• Notice the Invisible Labor: Did someone do something behind the scenes that made your life easier? Acknowledge it specifically.

• Return the Favor, Tangibly: Don't just text "thx." If they always drive, offer to take the wheel next time. If they always listen to you vent, ask them how they are really doing—and actually listen. If they cooked, you clean.

Let's make 2026 less about the hustle and more about the herd. If we keep the cycle of care going, we can all find a little more of that beautiful, peaceful rest.

Happy New Year, everyone. Let's take care of each other.