2026 – Welcome to a brand new year. There is something wonderfully revitalising about turning the page, even if the weather in January does its best to persuade us otherwise. These early weeks can feel like wading through emotional treacle which is why having things to look forward to is not just pleasant. It is psychologically essential.
Psychologists call anticipation a future positive orientation and it turns out to be one of the brain’s most helpful tools. Looking forward to something, even something small, activates the same reward pathways as the event itself. In other words, your brain gives you an emotional down payment on future joy.
Which brings us neatly to this question.
What are you looking forward to in 2026?
Of course, one of the things we are looking forward to is sharing a brand new season of The Humourology Podcast. Season Eight is on the runway, and I can already confirm that we have some extraordinary guests in the can. Leaders from business, politics, entertainment and comedy who sit at the very top of their professions.
f you have enjoyed the first seven seasons, you will love what is coming. The stories are fascinating, the insights are rich, and the humour is non-negotiable. Think of Humourology as one of your peaks of light during the darker days of January and February. Our aim is simple. To bring you sunshine, joy and a little lift when the days feel longest.
This time of year also invites reflection. Many of us begin sketching out hopes for the months ahead. There is good evidence that doing so actually works. A review from the National Library of Medicine notes that:
“Optimism may significantly influence mental and physical well-being by promoting a healthy lifestyle, adaptive behaviours and flexible problem solving.”
In other words, how you think about the future changes how you live in the present. Optimistic people habitually generate energy, purpose and resilience and that mindset becomes its own form of momentum.
My good friend and former songwriting partner, the hugely successful New York songwriter Peter Bliss, always says,
“Your attitude dictates your altitude.”
Get your attitude right, and you really can reach the heights you desire.
So here are a few small, human, humorous Humourology style tips for setting yourself up well in 2026.
- Set milestones you can look forward to rather than goals you feel you should achieve.
A milestone can be booking a lunch with a friend, planning a weekend adventure, or committing to learning one new skill. The key is to make it something future you will thank you for. - Keep your optimism practical.
Optimism does not mean ignoring reality. It means facing it with energy. The research shows that optimistic people use better coping strategies including acceptance, humour and reframing, all of which lie at the heart of Humourology. - Build a little ritual of anticipation.
Whether it is listening to your favourite podcast, choosing your next theatre trip, or scheduling a creative hour each week, create pockets of pleasure in your calendar. Future joy becomes present motivation.
2026 is a blank page. Whatever you write on it, write it with warmth, humour and hope. We will be right beside you throughout the year with stories, science and smiles. Season Eight launches very soon.
Here is to a year filled with peaks of light.
Warmest,
Paul x
