Becoming human again
Hey Forth - Eleanor here!
My word of the year for 2026 is "simplify" - and that doesn't necessarily mean automate everything to accomplish more, it often means doing more by doing less.
In a world where we are encouraged to buy quick fixes, we've characterized friction as the enemy. In reality, we're desensitizing ourselves to the feeling of being uncomfortable. And I've been there - wondering why my package doesn't arrive in 2 days, why so-and-so hasn't gotten back to me in 24 hours, why I should bother to read a long form article when the first 60 seconds bore me.
For me - having it your way isn't always proving to be the best way. And technology frequently is the vehicle to frictionless convenience, incomplete gatherings of community, and ultimately a false sense of control.
In 2026 I'm striving to simplify by going a bit more analog - to remember what it feels like to be human. Spending more time on people, places, and things that make me feel human. Simplifying means getting rid of the distractions that take us away from focusing on what's right here in front of us.
Some ways I am simplifying:
1. Playing the car radio instead of scrolling through my phone for the perfect song in an endless sea of every song ever made
2. Having one day a week where I'm tech free and have no responsibilities but to recharge
3. Instead of ordering and returning things this holiday season, delete the shopping app. Go into a real store to intentionally purchase something. Take a look at it, notice if it excites me, then decide whether to purchase it from another real human.
Now what does this have to do with Forth? You've got every workout under the sun at your fingertips to stream at home. It's inconvenient to leave your cozy home, spend precious minutes of your day moving and breathing, and maybe even a bit uncomfortable crossing paths with strangers. The movement itself is also full of friction (hello mat pilates and strength training!) - and that's the work. By changing the narratives of these moments of friction to become an opportunity or challenge, we grow stronger not only physically but mentally. And that's what moving Forth is all about: expanding our capacity to face things we can't control so we can show up with more patience and kindness.
What is Inspiring Us
It's been a long email and we have a lot inspiring our team right now! Here's a few podcasts and books to hold you over this holiday season:
Books
Karolina - Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May
Alyssa - Heart the Lover by Lily King, Staying Healthy with the Seasons by Elson M. Haas, and also Wintering!
Beth - Lessons in Meditation: Practices, Scripts and Inspiration for Yoga Teachers by Gabrielle Harris
Podcasts