The new year arrives with an undeniable sense of hope. Fresh calendars, clean slates, and renewed belief in what’s possible. For many, that hope centers around family: growing a family, beginning the journey to parenthood, or helping someone else experience that joy.
Whether you’re an intended parent taking your very first steps toward surrogacy, a woman exploring egg donation, or a surrogate preparing to help make a family’s dream a reality, 2026 is a chance to move with purpose and clarity.
Setting intentions, not rigid resolutions, can help guide your journey with confidence and compassion. Intentions ground you, reconnect you to your “why,” and help you stay centered when the path feels uncertain.
As we welcome 2026, here are heartfelt intentions to support and strengthen your family-building journey.
REFLECT ON YOUR “WHY”
Every meaningful journey begins with a purpose.
Ask yourself:
- What is drawing me to this?
- What do I hope this year will bring?
- What impact do I want to make on myself or someone else?
For intended parents, your “why” may come from hope after heartbreak or a long desire to hold a child of your own.
For surrogates or donors, it may be the desire to create profound change in another family’s life.
Whatever your “why,” honoring it helps you stay focused, grounded, and emotionally aligned.
COMMIT TO EDUDCATION
Knowledge creates confidence.
If 2026 feels like your year, start by learning:
- What the screening process looks like
- What matching involves
- What medications or procedures you may experience
- What legal protections you will have
- What support systems agencies provide
The more informed you are, the more empowered you’ll feel. Education turns uncertainty into readiness.
FIND YOUR SUPPORT SYSTEM
No one should walk the path of family-building alone.
Surround yourself with:
- Professionals who prioritize your safety and well-being
- A coordinator who communicates openly and clearly
- Other surrogates, donors, or intended parents who understand
- Friends and family who can support you emotionally
Support isn’t just helpful, it’s essential. A strong team makes the journey smoother, safer, and more joyful.
Intentions for 2026
1. EMBRACE PATIENCE
Fertility journeys, whether your own or one you are supporting, can be unpredictable.
Cycles shift. Timelines adjust. Matches take time.
Choosing patience isn’t passive; it’s an act of self-compassion. It allows you to trust the process and breathe through the unknowns rather than fight them.
2. PRIORITIZE WHOLE BODY WELLNESS
Your well-being matters.
For intended parents, donors, and surrogates alike, caring for your whole self can make a tremendous difference:
- Nourish your body with supportive foods
- Move gently and regularly
- Give yourself permission to rest
- Seek therapy or emotional support when needed
- Practice mindfulness or grounding techniques
Fertility and pregnancy are holistic experiences. Wellness is a powerful foundation.
3. LEAN INTO SUPPORT
Community turns challenges into something manageable, and even meaningful.
Whether you join a support group, talk regularly with your coordinator, or rely on a trusted friend, remember:
You do not have to carry this alone.
Asking for support is a strength, not a weakness.
4. STAY CURIOUS, NOT CRITICAL
Surrogacy, egg donation, and fertility journeys rarely unfold in a perfect straight line.
Instead of judging each twist and turn, try approaching the process with curiosity:
- What is this moment teaching me?
- What is changing?
- How can I adapt with compassion?
Curiosity softens stress. Judgment amplifies it. This year, choose gentleness.
5. CELEBRATE THE SMALL WINS
You deserve to pause and recognize your progress—big or small.
Celebrate when you:
- Complete an application
- Begin screening
- Find clarity in your next step
- Connect with a coordinator
- Get matched
- Start a cycle
- Move through each milestone
Each step is meaningful. Each moment brings you closer to your dream or helps someone else reach theirs.
The Path Ahead
Let 2026 be a year of intention, grace, and grounded hope.
No matter where you are starting, this could be the year your dream becomes a reality, or the year you change someone else’s life forever. You are not alone, your story is unfolding beautifully, and the path ahead is filled with possibility.
