Bad habits, burnout, and toxic people: What people are leaving behind before 2026

Some years quietly slip into the past but 2025 is not one of them.

For many South Aucklanders, this year has felt like a long-haul, the kind where the warning light has been on for months. The bills keep piling up, food prices are soaring, and it seems that everyone you know is either burnt out, going through a breakup, or just broke.

It has been a heavy year but it has also been an honest one. I’m sure there are a few of us who have had to take a moment to catch our breath, staring at the sky and hoping next year will be kinder.

As the year winds down, many of us hope to find small pockets of calm amid the bustle of the holidays. This season often invites us to pause, reflect on the year that was, honour those we have lost, and cherish the memories that carried us through.

For others, it is a chance to look inward, take stock of spending or eating habits, release lingering negativity, and make space for a fresh start in the new year.

PMN News took to the streets of Manukau and asked people what things they’re choosing to boldly, emotionally, and habitually leave behind in 2025.

A Fijian mother shopping at the Manukau Westfield mall jokes about the prospect of giving up something cultural. “I want to say kava, but that’s not happening,” she laughs.

One young man was on his way to the barber to cut off two years' worth of hair growth.

“It’s time,” he says. “I’m just over it, over the shampoo and conditioning. I’m over vacuuming it up.”

New year, new hair. Photo/Unsplash

A number of people say they need to kick their bad eating habits to the curb.

“I’m giving up the daily sugary treats,” Harry Edwards says. “Chips, chocolates, the sweet and salty popcorn, and anything that’s brought into the staff room really.”

Edwards is also a sneakerhead and made it a personal mission this year to not overspend on shoes.

“I’ve only bought about eight pairs of shoes,” he says. “That’s not including slides, slippers, or jandals. That’s just sneakers - but that’s great for me. So, yeah, impulse buying, I gotta leave that behind too.”

Meanwhile, some street walkers say they have taken on quite the emotional burden this year and are looking forward to letting that all go.

“I’m leaving behind unnecessary stress,” one person says. “I worry too much about too many things that don’t feed my purpose.”

Bye-bye sweets and sugary treats. Photo/Unsplash

One person, who only wants to be called Harold, says they are learning the value of saying no. “I’m letting go of being too nice,” Harold says. “I always say yes to things I don’t want to do.”

Henare Hohenberger says he’s saying goodbye to “fake b****es”.

“What I’m leaving behind in 2025 is carrying guilt that isn’t mine. I don’t have to save the world. I just have to save myself.”

One person, who did not wish to be named, says their “unnecessary spending” has caused a strain financially and emotionally. They are breaking a lot of their “bad habits” before the new year.

“I procrastinate quite a lot, so I will try and leave that behind. Also bad eating habits, as in I have no control in regards to not only what I eat, but when I eat. Even if I am full, I will still eat.

“Bad financial habits. Spending unnecessarily, spending money I don’t have. Bad habits across the board, even spiritually. Like, for myself, I say I’m going to commit to journaling, but I don’t.

Reclaim your financial security in 2026. Photo/Unsplash

“Also leaving behind hooking up with the people that I said I wasn’t going to hook up with anymore.”

One person hopes to break free from the restraints of living with a fearful mindset.

“Everyone operates from some level of fear. There are always two things that navigate your choices: it’s either fear or love.”

Without wanting to sound overly cliché or spiritual, examples of this mindset could include avoiding difficult conversations, conforming to others’ expectations, overworking yourself, dealing with abandonment issues, codependency, or staying in a job you dislike.

People PMN News spoke with have seemingly - and profoundly - made some love-based decisions, such as taking their annual leave this holiday season, setting boundaries, and leaving unfulfilling jobs.

So what are you leaving behind? More importantly, what are you choosing to welcome in for 2026?