Entering 2026: The Taste of Life Lies in Its Twists and Turns

As we enter a new year, most of us utter similar phrases: I will be more disciplined, I will be more productive, I will feel better, I will start exercising. While the intention behind these statements is good, they often carry an invisible pressure. A feeling of inadequacy, of falling behind, or of needing to do more accompanies these goals. Moreover, these goals are often outcome-oriented; they point to reaching a point, achieving something, or becoming a certain state. This creates a sense of being trapped, as if our current state is not enough, and that only by achieving these goals can we truly be "good."

Mindful intentions, on the other hand, are process-oriented. They remind us how we want to approach ourselves and others. Therefore, mindful intentions involve openness rather than pressure, curiosity rather than coercion, and connecting with things as they are rather than striving for perfection.

In recent years, many of us have found ourselves struggling with a similar issue. This struggle often stems not from a lack of skill or effort, but from difficulty in stopping, focusing attention, and staying engaged with what is happening. Our minds are constantly stimulated, our attention is constantly being diverted. Days fly by, relationships intensify, but it becomes increasingly difficult to truly remain present in the moment. We realize that within this rapid pace, we can become more impatient with ourselves and others.

Perhaps that's why one of the skills we need most today is the ability to focus . Focusing isn't just about being able to look at something for a long time; it's about truly being present in the moment, being where we are. It's about being able to notice a thought or feeling when it arises without immediately trying to correct it, or noticing when your mind wanders while talking to someone and being able to return to the conversation. Distraction isn't a problem; it's a natural tendency of the human mind. The real issue is being able to recognize when you're distracted and gently invite yourself back to the present moment each time you notice it.

As attention begins to focus, contact with life deepens. Gratitude finds a place within this contact. In today's fast-paced and easily accessible world, we may take what we already have, the "ordinary" moments, the "routines," for granted, thinking "it's already there," "this is how it should be . " However, the true essence of life lies in its nuances. Gratitude, however, is not about focusing solely on the pleasant or ignoring the difficult. Gratitude is directed towards the whole of life and each moment that constitutes it; it involves being able to connect with both the whole and each individual moment . It allows us to turn our faces towards the pleasant while keeping the challenging aspects close. Gratitude makes it possible to treat life itself as a gift, instead of waiting for a miracle.

Another important skill in our time is politeness. Today, we often treat politeness as a superficial form of language, an automatic courtesy, or a social necessity. As we live in a fast-paced, performance-oriented environment, and constantly strive for excellence, politeness becomes one of the things we forget most. Not just towards ourselves, but towards others as well. Here, politeness expresses an inner inclination. It involves being able to approach ourselves with more understanding when we are struggling, truly seeing the experiences of others, and pausing to make contact instead of rushing past. It's more about intention than a gesture or choosing the right words. When not offered sincerely, politeness becomes a mere linguistic service; but when it is offered through contact, it becomes a force that enhances our way of life.

In summary,

I wish you a 2026 where we can be present wherever we are with our minds, see the joy of life in its twists and turns with gratitude, approach things with kindness, and spend it with a cool head and a warm heart...

And I want to reiterate the wish I always mention in my trainings, which is known as the Serenity Prayer: “I wish for the courage to change what needs to be changed, to accept what cannot be changed, and to have the wisdom to distinguish between one thing and another.”

-Prof. Dr. Zümra Atalay

ACTION PLANS FOR 2026

If you want to work more consciously on focus, stress management, and inner balance this year, the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program (MBSR) offers a powerful framework for this process.

MBSR helps train attention, engage with difficult emotions, and develop more skillful responses in daily life.

With this in mind, we are offering a 10% discount to those who purchase the MBSR program, starting February 10th, either for themselves or as a gift for loved ones .

Sometimes the most meaningful gift isn't an object; it's a space that opens up a relationship with oneself.

👉 For details: https://www.mindfulnessinstitute.com.tr/mbsr

Sustainable Support: Mindoor Mindfulness App

For those who want to integrate mindfulness into daily life and make meditation practices sustainable, the Mindoor Mindfulness App, developed in partnership with Prof. Dr. Zümra Atalay and featuring content prepared and narrated by experts, offers a supportive space with various practices and guided content for both adults and children. It can be a meaningful and experiential gift to invest in the mental health of yourself or your loved ones.

👉 To download; https://onelink.to/2wpyt

👉 To give as a gift to your loved ones; https://www.mindoorapp.com/sevdiklerine-hediye-et

Sleep is a safe haven for some, but for others it's like a journey into the unknown on a turbulent and stormy sea. Sometimes it's a restful sleep, other times a struggle amidst uncertainties and challenges. We all experience insomnia at some point in our lives; this experience can be fleeting, or deep and persistent. These are the last days to reserve your place in the Mindfulness and Sleep Training , led by Prof. Dr. Zümra Atalay and Prof. Dr. Selçuk Aslan, starting January 7th. It offers a significant opportunity for those wishing to re-evaluate their relationship with sleep.

👉 For details; https://www.mindfultalks.net/events/mindfulness-ile-iyi-uyku

👉 To access his books published last week; https://listelerim.hepsiburada.com/paylas/fb3bcb1d-e387-4fec-9c6c-3dbe4e9eef37

For your children,

There are both educational and enjoyable resources available for children to incorporate mindfulness into their daily lives. The "Learning with Mindfulness" series, written by Prof. Dr. Zümra Atalay, addresses themes that children frequently struggle with, such as bullying, perfectionism, and impatience; it offers a framework that supports recognizing emotions, coping more skillfully with challenging experiences, and developing awareness.

In addition, the Mindfulness for Children book, My Mindful Journal, and the Mindfulness Cards series can be enjoyable and meaningful tools that support children in connecting with their inner world and can be used while spending time together.

👉 To access the "Learning with Mindfulness" Storybooks, the Mindfulness Book for Children, and "My Mindful Journal - Mindful Cards"; https://listelerim.hepsiburada.com/paylas/d6caa9ba-e894-4317-8968-0c6056aff262

We wish you a year filled with awareness....

Mindfulness Institute