What you need to know
James Van Der Beek is taking it easy at the start of the year.
On Thursday, January 15, the Dawson’s Creek star, 48, shared his 2026 resolutions in an Instagram post after recently opening up about his stage 3 cancer diagnosis.
In a candid video discussing the natural rhythms of life, Van Der Beek spoke directly to the camera and said winter is not the best time to make New Year’s resolutions, as it’s a time when nature and animals take a break.
“Does anyone else find it impossible to keep their New Year’s resolutions?” he said. “Let me just say, I don’t think it’s your fault. I think that makes perfect sense.”
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“Why celebrate the New Year in the middle of winter?” Van der Beek continued. “Why do we celebrate new beginnings at this time of year when nature rests?”
“Animals hibernate and birds fly south for the winter,” he says. “We celebrate new beginnings, a new year, a new you, and new resolutions at the spring equinox, when flowers bloom, the weather gets warmer, and the birds return.”
The actor added that celebrating the New Year in winter is against nature, while adding that the Gregorian calendar “makes no sense at all.”
Van der Beek sought to further explain his theory by arguing that March should be seen as the start of the year.
“I’m going to say no more,” he said. “I’m going to spend the winter recovering and resting, and then come spring to make New Year’s resolutions. Who’s going to be with me?”
Michael Thalberg/Getty
Van der Beek detailed his thoughts on how people should behave in winter in the video’s caption.
“In winter, the days get shorter and the nights get longer,” he wrote. “But instead of being reminded of how perfect this season is to slumber, eat stew, snuggle and sleep, why are we being told it’s time to buy a gym membership?”
The post received around 80,000 likes, with many commenters agreeing with his point of view. Fans also commented on his appearance, with one person writing, “Good looking,” and another saying, “He looks like a healthy and strong older brother.”
His looks came into focus after he was seen looking haggard in a pre-recorded video from the Dawson’s Creek reunion in September. The father of six addressed the concerns during an appearance on the Today show.
“I lost a lot of weight because of a stomach virus,” Van Der Beek explained on the Dec. 19 episode. “No, it wasn’t cancer-related. But with cancer, it’s all like, ‘What if we supersized the stomach virus?'”
Van der Beek revealed to PEOPLE in November 2024 that he had been diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer, after being diagnosed in 2023 and undergoing treatment privately.
“The most troubling thing is that there are so many unknowns about cancer,” he says. “You think, ‘How can I cure this? Is this healing me? Is this hurting me? Is this working? Will it happen again?’ As someone who likes answers, not knowing is one of the hardest things.”
“I’m very cautiously optimistic. I’m in a place of healing. My energy levels are great,” he added. “I have a lot to live for.”
