Notes From a Life Architect

I'm drafting a plan!

I’ve never been a fan of New Year’s resolutions. I get all pumped up, full of motivation and good intentions—and then about five minutes later, I’m back to my old ways. The end result? Feeling like I failed. Again.

I eat healthy… then blow it.
I exercise regularly… then blow it off.
I find ways to de-stress… then abandon them.
I distance myself from unhealthy relationships…then get pulled right back in.

But 2026 has me thinking differently. Less about resolutions and more about making changes to live more fully.

Richard and I have been watching Six Feet Under (yes, I know, an old show). Frances Conroy’s character, Ruth Fisher, really struck a chord with me in one of the episodes. After the loss of her husband, she begins questioning her identity and purpose and becomes “the architect of her own life.” by designing a life that feels intentional. Now Ruth gets into a trouble with this new philosophy (extreme for tv), but fundamentally I like the idea of looking at the bigger picture and asking yourself what’s actually working, what isn’t, and what you want your life to look and feel like.

For me, it’s about laying out the plan for a life that supports me instead of punishing me. Less pressure. More intention. When something doesn’t work, it’s not a failure—it’s information to make changes. It’s knowing that progress can be slow—and that’s okay. I know that I can’t tackle it all at once or I’ll get overwhelmed, so doable chunks are a better option with just one or two shifts at a time forming lasting habits.

It’s about taking charge of my life, not letting life take charge of me.

Here’s a first draft of my life plan which no-doubly will evolve and pivot over time. The overarching theme is good health, both mental and physical.

• Since health is a priority I’m going to do my best to eliminate processed foods, sugar, and salt to the best of my ability. I also know that there will be times when I’ll slip and that’s ok. Consistency is what I’ll aim for—perfection isn’t the goal.

• Become the “architect of the kitchen “ by learning how to cook healthy meals and carving out the time to make it happen. This will take some planning and will be a work in progress.

• Exercise is crucial to good health, so I’m making a conscious effort to move more throughout my day. Not just workouts, but movement that feels joyful—dancing, long urban walks, and anything that gets me out of my head and into my body. Having an accountability partner will help keep me on track. Cathy…are you reading this?

• Create more community with friends and family, centered around activity, connection, and joy, As we get older, this becomes even more important to our physical and mental health. Studies have shown that strong community is linked to living longer!

• Fully disconnect from toxic relationship—a Substack of its own to come.

• Go more frequently to Uncommon Threads, the nonprofit that I founded. After my leukemia heated up and Covid hit, I shifted to working remotely. Although I go in once in a while, I’ve been feeling disconnected from the passion that once fueled me. I need it back in my life.

• Clutter makes me anxious, yet I have WAY too much stuff! Our basement is full, closets are bursting with junk we never use, and our garage—well let’s just say it’s tough to get into my car. My life design includes an uncluttered home where I can find what I need in a split second and there is a place for everything. My closet is first (see below).

• I love to write, so why don’t I do it more often? I already jumpstarted this one with my Substack!

• I also love to learn new things. I may join Masterclass as they’re having a $5/month special right now, and investigate art classes (even though I don’t have an artistic bone in my body), and dance lessons (even though I have two left feet).

• Covid, followed by a year of cancer treatment, put a pause on my travel plans. But now that I’m in remission, there’s no reason I can’t explore the world again. Travel is good for the soul, and I’m ready for it. I’m excited to share that we just booked a trip to California in February—and we’re already planning another adventure with the kids to Ireland in April

Just writing this is making me feel excited and hopeful. And now that it’s written down, I have something to come back to—a way to check in with myself to see how I’m really doing.

How about you—are you ready to become the architect of your life? If so, here are a few questions to sit with. (Full disclosure: I used to be a life coach, and these are some of the questions I often explored with my clients.)

• Where in your life do you feel out of alignment: health, relationships, work, or time for yourself?

• Where do you need more support, structure, or community to live the life you want?

• What fuels you?

• If fear, time, or money wasn’t part of the equation, what would you design differently?

• Are you having enough fun? If not, how can you add more in?

Before I move on to fashion, I want to share a quote from the incredible 88 year-old Jane Fonda.

“It's never too late - never too late to start over, never too late to be happy.”

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Fashion Tidbit:
As I think about becoming the architect of my own life, I’m applying the same mindset to my closet. After all, getting dressed should feel easy and fun, not stressful.

Here’s my wardrobe plan.

Purge—BIG TIME. Let me start by saying this: I’ve cleaned out well over 100 closets during my years as a wardrobe stylist. I know all the tips and tricks—but, of course, it’s always easier to do this for someone other than yourself. Still, experience counts.
I’m tackling one section of my closet at a time so I don’t get overwhelmed. My goal is to let go of at least one-third—maybe even half—of my clothes, shoes, and accessories. If it doesn’t fit, doesn’t feel good, doesn’t light me up, or doesn’t feel authentic, it’s going. And of course, everything will be donated to Uncommon Threads, to support and empower women in need.

Shop with purpose
Yes, shopping brings me joy—but I already have SO MANY CLOTHES! For now, I’m pressing pause (let’s see how long this lasts). If I do buy something, it has to meet a high bar: I truly need it, absolutely love it, and feel amazing when I put it on. No more “it’s fine” or “it’s a great price” purchases. I want every piece to earn its place in my closet. After all, it’s valuable real estate!

Get dressed with intention.
I’m paying attention to how clothes make me feel throughout the day. Am I tugging? Adjusting? Counting the minutes until I can change? Do I feel frumpy? I want my outfits to allow me to move, breathe, and feel confident—clothes that work with me, not against me.

Ready to tackle your wardrobe? Let me know if you need any tips—or maybe I should write a post on the subject? If you’re really stuck, let’s explore a virtual consultation! My email is susan@agreatnewlook.com

Wishing you a very happy, healthy, and intentional 2026!

xx Susan