What we’re doing less of in 2026, plus how to break bad habits

At the start of a new year, it’s hard not to get swept up in the allure of New Year’s resolutions: Setting goals you want to achieve or pinpointing the bad habits you want to break.

For many people, breaking bad habits can be easier when you swap a not-so-great behavior out for a healthier option, Margaret Moore, founder of Wellcoaches Corporation, a school for coaches of healthcare and well-being experts, told CNBC Make It in 2023.

Neuroscientist Anne-Laure Le Cunff, PhD, suggests trying “tiny experiments” with habits you’d like to introduce into your life instead of setting huge goals that can be unrealistic. It’s significant to “withhold judgment until you’re done conducting your experiment,” Le Cunff told CNBC Make It last week.

In 2026, I’m simply looking to do less. My past few years have involved starting each day with a minimum of 10 items on my to-do list. This year I want to get that list down to five tasks, or less.

I talked to my fellow CNBC Make It staff members about the bad habits they want to break this year and there were a few common themes. Here’s what stood out.

“A habit I would like to break this new year is waking up and reaching for my phone first thing in the morning. It’s something that has been like muscle memory for such a long time now that I can’t remember a time where I didn’t wake up and immediately grab my phone and check messages or scroll on social media.”

“I’d also like to do more mentally stimulating activities when I’m bored instead of just reaching for my phone or watching TV, or just doing things that aren’t really challenging my mind in a way.”

— Ashton Jackson, Success Reporter

“I want to fix my sleep. I have not been sleeping right, and I want to fix that. I think I’m just not sleeping enough, and also being on a screen too much before bed. A lot of it is doom scrolling. My other thing is if I’m trying to read and wind down before bed, I read e-books and that screen issue has kind of been a thing too.”

— Sarah Jackson, Work Reporter

“I’m avoiding video games for January. So if I feel like going to play a video game, I play music or I’ll read a book.”

— Mike Winters, Money Reporter

Staying up late for extra free time, even when it cuts into the hours you’d otherwise use to sleep and feel rested the next day, is called revenge bedtime. “It often happens when individuals feel they have little control over their daily schedules,” according to the Sleep Foundation.

“I’m very bad about watching TV until like 12:30, so I want to have a harsh ‘Get into bed,’ no later than 11 [p.m.] And I think that will help me break a lot of other bad habits that I have. Like after work being too tired to be productive or do things, I think if I get my sleep on track, it will help with having energy to exercise or be productive after work.”

— Marisa Forziati, Video Editor

“Going to sleep earlier is a big one. It’s just tough because with little kids, it’s like after they go to sleep at 8′ o clock then that feels like freedom. It’s the push and pull of wanting to maximize that time with free time, but then also needing to go to sleep. Trying to find that balance of making space to unwind but also to get good rest.”

— Tom Huddleston Jr., Senior Success Reporter

“One habit that I want to stop doing is getting lazy about reading. That’s like the hardest thing to force myself to do. I lowered my quota of books for the year to 10 from 12 because I was like maybe if it’s 10, I’ll actually do it.”

— Gili Malinsky, Lead Psychology Reporter

“Not skipping my workouts, eating sugar or pressing snooze. Trying to get up when the alarm goes off.”

— Kamaron McNair, Money Reporter

“Having less FOMO with my friends. Like if they’re going out, I don’t have to go this time. If I miss this one social plan, I’m not going to lose this friend, I don’t think. I hope not. I have a hard time saying no to invitations to things.”

— Raffi Paul, Video Producer

“I’m trying to walk more. I take the train to work usually but if I can walk home, that adds a bunch of steps to my day.”

— Natalie Wu, Associate Money Reporter

As you look to break habits that don’t suit you, Moore reminds you to leave some room for grace, especially if you’re a very disciplined person.

“There’s a part of you that needs to be free, and indulgent, and impulsive, and enjoy life,” she said.

And if you’re struggling to keep up with the changes you’re making to your routine, “there’s nothing inherently wrong with not being ready,” Moore added. “You’re just not ready. You don’t have enough motivation, and you have too many obstacles.”

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