Hey girl, here’s a quick Cancer Hack…or actually Life Hack! You don't need to be a “new you.” The current you? She's pretty f*cking amazing.
Every January, everyone talks about New Year's resolutions… “New year, new me.” “Clean slate.” “Fresh start.” All the things.
But when you're experiencing all the lifestyle climbs of cancer, that idea is pretty exhausting. And frankly, the only “new you” you want is to hear you no longer have cancer, your hair is growing back like a mane of beauty and you don’t need any more doctors appointments because you are healthy, fabulous and rich. But sadly, none of us are starting fresh. We know you are in the middle of the hardest fight of your life. And the idea that you need to become someone "new" on top of everything else? No thank you.
Here's what we want you to know: you don't need to reinvent yourself this year. You just need to get through today. And that's more than enough.
Here are some key things remember as you kick off 2026:
Think of the arrow…
Back in 2014, I got a tattoo of an arrow. Why? Because an arrow represents: sometimes you have to be pulled back in life in order to launch into something amazing. And guess what, you are likely in the “pulled back” stage of your life. Let’s be honest. It S-U-C-K-S. But keep moving forward, one moment at a time. Even that is huge progress!
I was diagnosed with cancer in December and then January timeframe I had my mastectomy and 11 years later had my explant surgery. So December/January brings back A LOT of feels. I never felt like it was a fresh start, I always felt like cancer was taking things away from me in January. But looking back? My cancer took away my breasts, but inspired me to start Fighting Pretty. It made me learn about hope, about passion, love, patience, resilience and so much more. So take it a day at time and be patient with yourself.
Use those gloves as a reminder of your strength
Here's the thing about strength that nobody talks about: strength isn't always powering through. Strength is taking it slow and listening to your body when it says "not today." It could be resting without guilt, doing small arm exercises in the shower where you climb your hand up the wall to build flexibility after surgery. Strength is sitting in the quiet and trying meditation for just a few moments or walking to the end of your driveway and taking in the air, the sky, the fact that you're still here.
These small acts? They count. They're not consolation prizes. They're the real work.
That is progress. That's strength.
You can “Let Go”
If you had goals from before your diagnosis - the career move, the marathon, the big trip - and they don't fit your life right now? You have permission to let them go, or just put them in the “parking lot” for now. Not forever. Just for now.
Cancer has a way of clarifying what actually matters. And what matters right now is getting through treatment, protecting your peace, and being kind to yourself. Everything else can wait.
Do you know that when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, the DAY BEFORE, I was up for a promotion? I didn’t know what to do. I went into my boss’s boss’s office (she was ironically a breast cancer survivor) and asked her. She outright looked at me with my big weary and scared eyes and said, “Kara, go get better. That’s what we need from you!” So I project managed my cancer diagnosis and came back to work with a vengeance feeling more confident and more powerful than ever before. I may not have gotten that promotion then, but I certainly excelled past that when I got back!
Forget resolutions. Let’s set intentions!
What’s the difference, you ask? Intentions are flexible. They're direction, not destination. They adapt when your body needs them to. As a 17-year cancer survivor and new mom at 44, here are some intentions I am starting to live by:
"I intend to listen to my body." Some days that means gentle movement. Other days it means staying in bed. Both are valid.
"I intend to ask for help when I need it." This is a practice. For some reason, us women are engrained to do it all. But try it! It gets easier the more you do it. Start small and ask someone to bring you groceries, to sit with you during an infusion or to just listen without trying to fix.
"I intend to do one small thing that makes me feel like myself." Maybe it's putting on your favorite lipstick (mine is hot pink obviously!) even when you're not leaving the house. Maybe it's watching that show that makes you laugh and wearing your favorite PJs. Maybe it's painting your nails a bright red. One small thing. That's it. Do it for yourself, because if anyone deserves it, it’s YOU!
"I intend to celebrate the small wins." Kept food down today? Win. Made it through another treatment? Win. Told someone what you needed and they showed up? Win. Write down your wins if it helps. Acknowledge them. They matter!
The Most Important Hack
At the end of each day, try this: "I did my best today, and that's enough."
Not "I should have done more." Not "tomorrow I'll try harder." Just: I did my best today, and that's enough.
Because it is. You're fighting cancer. You're showing up. You're still here. That's not just enough - that's everything.
So no, you don't need a “new year, new you” transformation. The current you - the one who's scared and tired and brave and fighting - she's already incredible.
Your Fighting Pretty family is here to remind you: You are strong. You are beautiful. And you don't need to be anything other than exactly who you are right now.
That's not settling. That's survival. That's grace. That's strength.
Happy New Year, beautiful. We're so glad you're here. 💗
Kara Frazier is the founder and CEO of Fighting Pretty. Kara is a 17-year breast cancer survivor (Stage 3, Her2+. ER+, BRCA-) and underwent an explant surgery in 2020 after finding out her Allergan implants were recalled. She is a wife, new mom and stepmom. Kara is on a mission to help all women feel strong and beautiful - while battling cancer or not!
To learn more about Kara's story, click here.