Annually, we’re instructed that expansion has to appear a undeniable method.
New 12 months. New you. Reinvent the whole lot. Repair what feels unfinished. Grow to be any person else by means of power of will and calendar timing.
That narrative hasn’t ever absolutely served us. And on this season, it feels particularly out of step with the place we if truth be told are.
So, as we step into 2026, I need to be transparent about what we’re opting for at The Curvy Fashionista.
Our theme for 2026 is ASCEND.
Why ASCEND, and Why Now
ASCEND isn’t about transformation.
It’s about elevation.
Transformation means that who you’re isn’t sufficient but. That you want to be reshaped, corrected, or subtle earlier than you’re allowed to absorb area.
Elevation begins from a unique position fully. It assumes value. It honors expansion with out erasing identification. It permits you to upward push with out shrinking first.
For plus measurement other folks, that difference issues.
Such a lot of the messaging directed at us has been rooted in solving. Repair your frame. Repair your self assurance. Repair your conduct. Repair your self, then you’ll be able to are living.
ASCEND rejects that premise totally.
What ASCEND Approach to Me (And Why I Selected It)
ASCEND is ready emerging with purpose, and that difference issues to me deeply.
After the whole lot I’ve unpacked, healed, launched, and forgiven, I knew I didn’t need to input any other 12 months chasing targets that weren’t rooted in who I if truth be told am now. I’ve carried out the solution cycle earlier than. Set the targets. Driven more difficult. Attempted to self-discipline myself into turning into any person I believed I will have to be.
What I’ve realized, and what I shared in my piece about opting for a theme for the brand new 12 months, is that issues come up with path with out punishment. They permit expansion with out the consistent feeling that you’re in the back of or failing.
ASCEND got here to me no longer as a function, however as a sense.
I’m not fascinated by transferring ahead in ways in which require me to desert myself within the procedure. I don’t need urgency to be the motivator. I don’t need chaos to masquerade as momentum. I need readability. I need alignment. I need expansion that feels expansive, no longer onerous.
For me, ASCEND approach opting for elevation over reinvention.
It approach:
- Raising my self assurance with out apologizing for taking on area
- Raising my management with out appearing respectability or shrinking to be palatable
- Raising pleasure, leisure, and visibility on the similar time, with out treating leisure like a praise I’ve to earn
ASCEND isn’t loud for the sake of being observed. I’ve carried out loud. I’ve carried out consistent movement. I’ve carried out proving.
This season feels other.
ASCEND feels secure. Grounded. Confident.
It’s the type of expansion that comes from understanding who I’m, trusting what I’ve realized, and believing that I don’t want to contort myself, overextend, or self-sacrifice to transport ahead.
Opting for ASCEND as our 2026 theme is me training precisely what I urge others to do. Opting for a tenet as an alternative of a tick list. Opting for purpose over depth. Opting for a path I will go back to when issues really feel unclear.
ASCEND provides me that anchor. And it provides our group language for expansion that doesn’t require erasure.
Why We Are Leaving Transformation At the back of
Right here’s the object. Analysis persistently displays that vary rooted in disgrace and self-criticism isn’t sustainable.
In keeping with the American Mental Affiliation, conduct alternate pushed by means of inside motivation and self-compassion is way more efficient than alternate pushed by means of drive or guilt.
Transformation tradition depends on urgency. On before-and-after considering. At the thought that you’re best treasured while you arrive in different places.
ASCEND does no longer ask you to reach.
It asks you to upward push.
Elevation Is Now not About Doing Extra
Some of the greatest misconceptions about expansion is that it calls for consistent movement.
ASCEND demanding situations that.
Elevation can seem like leisure.
It may seem like barriers.
It may seem like pronouncing no with readability and with out guilt.
Harvard Industry Assessment has proven that sustainable management is constructed thru mirrored image, no longer relentless growth. Leaders who pause to re-evaluate are simpler and extra resilient over the years.
ASCEND honors that reality.
What ASCEND Appears Like Throughout TCF in 2026
ASCEND isn’t just a phrase. This can be a lens. And I’m no longer opting for a theme simply to call it and transfer on.
ASCEND goes to lead what we put up, what we prioritize, and the way we serve.
In 2026, you are going to see ASCEND display up thru:
- Taste content material that helps self assurance, no longer concealment
- Wellness conversations rooted in admire, no longer disgrace
- Extra visibility for plus measurement leaders, creators, and voices
- Neighborhood areas that really feel actual, no longer performative
That is about construction platforms that final, no longer chasing moments that fade.
A Be aware on Visibility and Energy
ASCEND additionally approach I’m carried out looking ahead to permission.
Permission to be observed.
Permission to guide.
Permission to absorb area precisely as I’m.
For a very long time, visibility for plus measurement other folks got here with stipulations. Be assured, however no longer too assured. Be visual, however no longer disruptive. Take in area, however be sure you are nonetheless palatable.
I’ve lived that stress in my opinion, and I’ve watched our group navigate it for years.
What I do know now’s this. Visibility isn’t one thing we earn by means of behaving neatly sufficient. It’s energy. And tool grows after we prevent soliciting for approval and get started status firmly in who we’re.
ASCEND provides me language to transport another way.
It rings a bell in my memory that I don’t want to melt my presence to be revered. I should not have to give an explanation for my value earlier than getting into management. I don’t want to make myself smaller to make others relaxed.
Analysis round identity-based motivation displays that persons are much more likely to maintain expansion and management when their movements confirm who they already are, reasonably than who they believe they will have to transform.
That issues deeply for plus measurement other folks, as a result of such a lot of the arena has instructed us our our bodies disqualify us from authority.
ASCEND rejects that.
Visibility isn’t a praise on the finish of the adventure. It is a part of the adventure. Energy isn’t one thing we borrow. It’s one thing we declare.
And this 12 months, I’m opting for to transport like I already belong.
Why This Issues to Me
ASCEND honors what I’ve lived thru. It honors what TCF has navigated. And it provides us language for the place we’re going subsequent with out pretending the adventure in the back of us didn’t subject.
I’m no longer asking any person to reinvent themselves this 12 months.
I’m inviting you to upward push.
This Is an Invitation
ASCEND isn’t a mandate. It’s a call for participation.
A call for participation to:
- Upward thrust with out urgency
- Develop with out erasure
- Lead with out apology
- Leisure with out guilt
You don’t want to become to belong right here.
You’re already worthy of elevation.
Shifting Ahead In combination
As we step into 2026, my hope is inconspicuous.
That we make a choice purpose over depth.
That we make a choice alignment over efficiency.
That we make a choice elevation with out leaving behind ourselves alongside the best way.
ASCEND is the language we will be able to use this 12 months to remind ourselves of what’s imaginable after we prevent seeking to transform any person else and get started emerging as we’re.
There’s room for you right here.
And we’re simply getting began.
