I have never been big on January 1st resolutions, because that new year doesn’t feel real to me. Growing up in a Vietnamese American household, the month or two between Christmas and Tết, or Lunar New Year, always felt like a waiting period—a time to pause, reflect, and prepare for the actual new year.
In lieu of setting New Year’s Resolutions, we would clean the house, creating a blank slate for another year. Instead of hitting the gym on January 1st, we would prepare to visit friends and family, ensuring that we set the tone for our relationships. Let bygones be bygones. Let love and respect take the lead.
The Year of the Dragon, of course, is my favorite—it’s my year, my husband’s year, and somehow the year of both of our dogs (R.I.P. Ike, you’ll always be a fearsome mutt-shaped dragon in our hearts). But there’s a certain soft spot in my heart for the Year of the Horse, which comes right on heels of the Year of the Snake. If snakes are known for shedding their skin and transformation, then horses are known for their ability to push forward through discomfort and all conditions.
Framed so, it’s clear that in 2026, we need the Year of the Horse more than ever.
This year, as we welcome the Year of the Horse, which begins on February 17, I invite you to spend some quiet time reflecting on the following questions:
- What do you want to bring into the new year? What do you want to leave behind?
- What are the relationships you want to pour more effort into? Which ones can you release?
- What in your life or the world demands your bravery right now? How can you show up with courage even when you are scared?
- Are you already on an important journey? What can you do to cover meaningful ground this year?
You don’t need to have every answer figured out, but my hope is that these questions help you focus your efforts in a year that is defined by fast-paced and energetic transitions. And my final reminder is that the Year of the Horse—especially in a fire year—brings about change but also potential for burnout and exhaustion. Take care of yourself. Slow your pace when you need to. The moments when you pause for breath aren’t wasted; they are crucial steps in completing the journey.
From all of us at Spinsters Row, chúc mừng năm mới and we wish you vạn sự như ý!
