It is what it is. January 7, 2026 – Commentary with Jen Brien

by Jennifer Brien, contributing writer, commentary

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU? GIVE ANYTHING A WHIRL!!!

Alright gang here we all are, post holidays and past the “two DEAD weeks” of existence that happen during THE holidays… and what I mean by “dead” is really FREE WEEKS.

WEEKS where work is wonky, our usual habits and our mundane existence get spiced up and filled with Christmas events, gatherings, meals or shows and we all seem to let the air out a little and enjoy things while we can. Some of you may NOT let the air out and remain the same miserable people you are during the course of the year (said with LOVE), but most of us wander around in a holiday haze and wrap our arms around it.

This year, truth be told, it was hard. The passing of another dear friend before Thanksgiving really messed with my head, but I did try, best I could, to enjoy it all. Some years are better than others… but the one constant that remains throughout it all year after year as I age is the quickness the holidays come and go. YOU BLINK, and it’s over.

It just seems as though someone keeps hitting a “WARP SPEED” holiday button somewhere and that’s that. So, ALL THAT SAID, I’m letting you know, I’m not ready to jump into 2026 and pontificate about the crazy political climate and madness that is floating around out there just yet. NAH… next week. I need one more week.

So, THIS week I want to focus on something that is super important to your life and the quality of it. TAKING CARE OF YOUR HEALTH.

FOR THE RECORD, I hate NEW YEAR’S resolutions. It’s so stupid. All we do is set ourselves up for failure and then feel like crap because we didn’t get to the gym when we were scheduled or fail to quit smoking, or fail to lose those pounds, or fail AT WHATEVER we set out to do.

Then, we order a pizza to feel better or grab a six pack and say, “screw this”. I’ve done it. It sucks. In my 40’s I did it all the time. Make crazy goals and feel like $hit when I failed. Now, I don’t do that.

Instead, I say “OK- a new year.” WHAT CAN I DO BETTER to be a happier, more peaceful me this year in a world that tries to steal my PEACE daily in 10 billion ways. My priority shifts from “I HAVE TO DO THIS OR ELSE”, to “what do I want to feel like in 2026 and how can I get there?”

Maybe it sounds like the same thing to many of you, but it’s not. It’s a different way to say hey… let’s not take the energy from 2025 into 2026 and let’s try a new way. I have figured out that listening to some so called “self-help” cassette on my Walkman on a train where the message is “you’re a hot mess and MY way is the way out” is destructive and STUPID.

Folks haven’t walked in your shoes, and they don’t know the secret daily battles you deal with. It’s not a one size fits all thing because what works for me may not work for you, but the thing is, you gotta try SOMETHING. That’s why I KICK BOX, run, and take CrossFit classes. Some people like yoga, some like to power walk, some like to swim, others can’t leave their homes but do chair exercises and arm work instead. IT’S ALL the same but different!  You’re trying!

I joined a gym in PAWTUCKET, RI called RAD FITNESS and there is nothing I don’t like about it. I did this because years ago I figured out it’s far more difficult to be lazy than ambitious. The idea of mediocracy eats at your brain, looking for “FAT PANTS” in the closet sucks and watching people run by my window while eating half a pizza was so convicting. BTW some of you don’t care about your health… so, move along. This is for the folks that do.

ANYHOW! The people at RAD FITNESS are normal, (not mirror gawking narcissists) all shapes and sizes, all ages and the owner is such a force and so DECENT and honest. (that’s a rarity these days!) I want to encourage you to come find me there or find your own place where you can work on your health comfortably. I escape the world for two hours each time I go, and it keeps me sane, mentally fit and physically fit.

I have run two half marathons and a full marathon since Ron passed two years ago after not having run anywhere except after the ice cream truck for over 20 years. This gym is the reason why I can now do the things I do. Injury after setback is no match for Rebecca the trainer. She texts me when I’m missing, she encourages me when I’m there and she creates fun workouts that challenge me from head to toe.

Listen, no matter what you do my friends, I just want you to care for yourself  the way you care for everyone else year after year. You deserve to be the best you can and have fun doing it. My best friend Val, lost over 70 pounds because of RAD FITNESS (and her determination) and ran a half marathon with me in Nov. That kid has such guts. She couldn’t run around the block when she started! If she can do it, so can you!

My prayer for you all this NEW YEAR is to go easy on yourself.  I pray that hearts will soften, and I pray your inner warrior finds its way out of the crap that life tends to pile on us. Just anything or try RAD FITNESS! You’ll see me there Mon, Tues Thurs and Fri.

I do love you guys – and I’m so grateful you read this stuff… and grateful for the EDITOR, NANCY, for letting me be me!

RAISE YOUR GLASS TO 2026 gang and to quote TOM BRADY and his last place RAIDERS… (I couldn’t resist) LFG!!!!!!

Back to snarky next week!

Til next week – Jen

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P.S. Join us on my podcast “SPLITTIN THE ATOM”- Don’t miss it folks!  EYE OPENING STUFF

Go to:   oceanstatecurrent.com – 3pm THURSDAYS!

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Jen Brien has over 20 years of radio broadcast experience having hosted shows on WPRO and WHJJ with Ron as well as her own shows on WRKO and WBZ in Boston, WXTK on Cape Cod and WHAM in Rochester, New York. Jen was born and raised in Woonsocket and served six years in the Army MP Canine  Unit.

To read more columns and commentary by Jen, go here: https://rinewstoday.com/ron-st-pierre-jen-brien/