**A Year of Change: Welcoming Balance and Simplicity in 2026**
By various objective standards, 2025 proved to be a fruitful year. Investment outcomes were robust. Another hit book, *Millionaire Milestones*, made its debut. My children flourished in nurturing settings, showing well-being and joy. Ideally, fulfillment would be apparent.
Yet, the actual experience felt otherwise.
The unending responsibilities of writing, answering countless queries, managing household finances, overseeing rental properties, and spending quality time with my children left scant opportunity for self-care. Since 2009, I established a routine of rising early to write before my day job, and again before my children awakened, maximizing family interaction.
As I near the final full year of my forties, I sense an awakening; my drive has lessened, and I frequently feel unappreciated. This intensifying disconnect has resulted in disappointment, leading to a reevaluation of my aspirations for 2026. My aim is to simplify, unwind, and adjust my expectations for myself and those around me to create a more balanced and harmonious environment.
### Transitioning from FIRE to a Conventional Lifestyle
Since adopting the Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) philosophy in 2012, my viewpoint has become increasingly narrow, blurring the ways in which most people navigate daily existence. Constantly optimizing my time and financial resources hindered pure enjoyment, fostering a disdain for wasting time and foregoing experiences.
To regain my perspective, I have consulted fellow dads to gain insights into their work-life balance, aspiring to reflect a more balanced methodology. Here are eight lifestyle modifications I intend to adopt in 2026:
### 1. Reduce Childcare Time by 50%
After dedicating over eight years to being a stay-at-home dad, I plan to decrease my time spent with my children from around seven hours to roughly three hours each day. This still places me above average for dads with college degrees, allowing me personal time to recharge.
### 2. Travel Solo More Without Guilt
Having only taken eleven days away from my family in nearly nine years, I aim to take solo trips to revive a sense of adventure and discovery. Insights from other dads reveal that averages support greater allowances for travel without straining family relationships. Thus, I feel empowered to take up to 22 days of solo travel annually.
### 3. Publish Less Often and Write Shorter Articles
I plan to cut my publishing frequency from four times a week to three, focusing on quality instead of quantity while reserving weekends for family and personal time. Articles will also be more concise, catering to easier readability in an era of diminishing attention spans.
### 4. Complete My Third Book with Portfolio Penguin
As I scale back my writing obligations, I will dedicate time to finishing my third book titled *Your Children Will Be OK: A Practical Guide to Raising Resilient, Capable Kids in an Uncertain World*, which aims to equip parents with strategies to nurture resilience in their children.
### 5. Remain Unemployed for Another Year
Staying in my current state of unemployment for another year presents a personal challenge, emphasizing improved financial management and comfort with uncertainty while allowing more time for family duties.
### 6. Streamline My Rental Property Management
I plan to alleviate the stress linked to rental property management by focusing on tenant satisfaction and possibly selling properties to lessen the burden and mental strain.
### 7. Spend Less Time on Financial Management While Avoiding Losses
My objective is to stop losses while simplifying my investment practices. By transitioning to index funds and placing limits on new investments, I aim to make my financial management more streamlined and manageable.
### 8. Embrace Comfort in Being Less Acknowledged
Recognizing that widespread acknowledgment may not be feasible, I will work to lower expectations for recognition of my efforts. Cultivating intrinsic motivation instead of seeking external validation will foster personal tranquility and contentment.
### A Sabbatical for 2026
These resolutions signify a shift toward stress reduction and reclaiming time, paving the way for a more harmonious year. Similar to a professor on sabbatical, I will focus on investing in AI companies and allowing creative processes to evolve naturally without strict timelines. Acknowledging the need for personal rejuvenation will enhance my presence for my family.
In summary, I am dedicated to fostering a balanced life moving forward—a careful interplay between providing for my family and prioritizing my own well-being.
**Final Reflections for Readers**
As we step into this new year, I encourage you to contemplate your resolutions. How have you tackled the pursuit of balance amidst competing priorities? If you have discovered effective methods to quell the need for external appreciation, I would be eager to learn your strategies. Your insights could inspire others on this transformative path.
For those aiming to kick off the year positively, I suggest utilizing resources like the Empower financial dashboard.