Are you also sitting at your desk or having breakfast right now, feeling a little anxious about the new year?
Honestly, I am.
Because of the geopolitical situation and all the wars around the world. Because of the struggling economy and the looming recession in German-speaking Europe. Because of climate change and the increasing extreme weather events. And most of all because of my sick father.

In situations like these, people often give advice such as: “Stay positive and look ahead” or “Everything will be fine.”
But that rarely helps, because our subconscious speaks up and signals: “Things are not fine.”
In research, this is called “toxic positivity”—the compulsive attempt to think or feel positive.

What works better than toxic positivity is radical acceptance.
“Radical acceptance” means fully accepting reality as it is, without inner resistance.
Not approving of it.
Not giving up.
But acknowledging it.

uffering arises less from what happens and more from our refusal to accept reality, no matter how harsh it may be.
Only when I honestly acknowledge facts, feelings, and circumstances can I stay present and avoid the secondary suffering that arises from inner resistance (Why did this happen? Why me? I can’t handle this…). Radical acceptance does not mean resignation or passivity. On the contrary—it is the foundation for effective action.
Only when we accept reality as it is can we consciously change it.

When one of the athletes I work with faces a difficult situation—an injury, a breakup, losing their place in the starting lineup—and struggles to accept it, I tell them:
“There are no heroes without monsters.”

I find this thought particularly fitting for the upcoming year 2026.
Maybe this New Year reflection will help you start the year mentally prepared and with the right mindset:

The new year begins, and we do not start it lightly.
Economic uncertainty, political tensions, ecological challenges, personal problems.
There are plenty of monsters. Every single day.

But that’s exactly where the truth lies:
Without resistance, there is no growth.
Without pressure, there is no clarity.
Without monsters, there are no heroes.

This year will challenge us. It will test us.
And precisely because of that, it will reveal who we truly are.
Don’t avoid it.
Don’t wait.
Don’t complain.
Accept it.
Stand up.
Act.

Because heroes are not born in calm times, but in moments when others step back.

Welcome to the new year.
Show the world who you are.

This post was published by Wolfgang Jenewein on LinkedIn on January 8, 2026. Zum Original-Beitrag