Today we have a blog post from one of our Master’s level interns, Grace Clibourn, about living out of your values. Grace finds it a great honor to walk alongside those who are experiencing hardship.
Her counseling approach is rooted in the sense of hopefulness, and therapy with her feels light, compassionate, and empowering. Understanding that life can be unpredictable; Grace creates an environment that is free of shame and built on a sense of peace.
She believes each person holds within themselves the ability to live a life full of meaning and purpose, no matter the symptoms they may be experiencing today. Grace believes that everyone deserves to have a place to let it out in the presence of someone who is safe, genuine, and caring.
Values-Based Living in 2026
As we move into a new year, this often allows us to have a time of reflection. We may reflect on the good things that happened and the accomplishments that we have achieved this year. However, it may also bring thoughts of regret, disappointment, and grief. For many people, the new year creates a natural opportunity to audit their lives and make decisions about what they would like to do differently.
Swapping Resolutions for Values-Based Living
Instead of thinking about the new year as a time for resolutions and making dramatic changes, that often feel like a heavy weight to carry, I invite you to think about the new year as a time for getting clear on your values and committing to living more closely to them each day.
A resolution may look like, “I’m going to read for 10 minutes every day”, whereas living out of our values may look like, “I value learning, so when I have the opportunity to learn throughout the week, I am going to do it.” Values-based living does not put tasks on a timeline, instead, it helps us to become naturally integrated with the things we care about.
What Are Your Values?
I encourage you to take some time to think about each area of your life and the values that you hold. Some major areas to think about are things such as your home, family, relationships, job, hobbies, and future goals. What is it that you value about each area?
For example, in your job you may value excellence and integrity, or in your home you may value cleanliness, organization, and fun. By being clear on your values, it makes your decisions easier because you have already decided what you want and who you want to be. You do not have to create a resolution that says that you are going to organize the house once a week because you have already decided that you have a value for organization. And living in accordance with your values means that when the opportunity arises to organize something in front of you, you are more likely to take it.
A resource I have for you is from the Brene Brown podcast. In this episode of the Brene Brown podcast, Brene and guest, Barrett Guillen, talk about the difference between resolutions and resetting. Along with the podcast is this worksheet which you can use to ask yourself powerful questions about your values.
Here’s an affirmation to bring into the new year: “This is a new year with new opportunities to live closer to my values than ever before.”
You Got This!
Grace
We hope you found Grace’s insights on making decisions based on your values helpful. If her message resonated with you, this could be the perfect time to take meaningful steps towards your healing and peace. To initiate your work with Grace, please feel free to call our office at 615.510.3797 or click here to learn more.
