Did anyone else experience the scariest of the Sunday Scaries this week after the holiday break? Sunday night, I wrote a list of all the things that fell under the category of “Sunday Scaries,” including work projects I hadn’t touched since before Christmas, phone calls I was dreading making, and expenses I had failed to keep track of.

Seeing them all written out in a neat list was surprisingly effective. They were just words on paper, words that I could conquer, words that I could separate from emotions like dread and guilt.

I realized I didn’t want to enter the new year with that kind of heaviness. I’m avoiding New Year’s resolutions this year, preferring to focus on areas of my life that I know will bring me more happiness and contentment if I put in the effort.

One of those areas is centered around interpersonal relationships. There’s loads of research suggesting that our social life is tied to our wellbeing. The more meaningful our connections to other people, the more meaningful a life we’ll live overall.

I’m grateful that Women in Retail Leadership Circle (WIRLC) offers members and nonmembers alike chances to meet virtually and in person to create exactly those types of meaningful connections. A few come to mind:

Additionally, if 2026 is a year of transition for you, I encourage you to check out our Career Resources page. Whether you’re looking to meet with a career coach, peruse our job listings for that next opportunity, find your next great hire in our talent directory, or revisit some of our most-watched and most-read content, this is your go-to resource for all things career.