Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard prioritize family adventures and “lake rat” living for 2026.
Kristen Bell & Dax Shepard’s New Year
Can the secret to a successful marriage be found at the bottom of a lake? For Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell, entering 2026 isn’t about red carpets or prestige; it’s about becoming “lake rats.”
As the calendar flipped, the couple shared a glimpse into a New Year’s Eve that swapped Hollywood glamour for fireworks, family, and a boat ride.
This intentional shift toward “bonkers fun” marks a significant evolution in how one of the industry’s most transparent couples is choosing to live their public and private lives.
The “Bubble-Bursting” Strategy
For years, Bell and Shepard have been vocal about the “Los Angeles Bubble”—a high-pressure environment that can distort one’s sense of reality.
Their response has been a radical commitment to rural immersion.
- The Tennessee Pivot: By spending their summers on a lake in Tennessee, the family (including daughters Lincoln and Delta) traded city smog for frog-collecting and turtle-watching.
- The Physicality of Fun: Bell describes a “perfect rhythm” that involves getting “really sweaty” on the boat before transitioning into the cultural vibrancy of Nashville.
- The Soul Metric: Bell’s litmus test for a good trip is simple: if you forget to take your phone out to snap a picture, the travel is “filling up your soul.”
The Perfect Metaphor for 2026
A highlight of their New Year’s post was a technical fail that became a family favorite.
One of their daughters accidentally covered all three camera lenses with her fingers while taking a photo.
Despite the obstruction, the image “took,” leading Shepard to wish that all of 2026 go that way—where even the “messy” or “covered” moments somehow result in success.
The Psychology of the “Power-Pause”
Why does a couple at the height of their careers—with Kristen Bell coming off the success of Nobody Wants This and Shepard’s Armchair Expert empire—choose to disappear into the woods? This is a “Deep Dive” into the Psychological Power-Pause.
In Hollywood, the fear of “out of sight, out of mind” often keeps stars on a relentless treadmill of appearances.
Kristen Bell and Shepard are countering this by demonstrating that vulnerability to nature (getting “way too close to turtles”) is a form of professional maintenance.
By allowing their children to be “lake rats,” they are fostering a groundedness that protects them from the “city of Los Angeles” mindset.
This isn’t just a vacation; it’s a defense mechanism against the ego-inflation of fame.
Their friendship with non-actors like Bobbi Brown and the Richardsons further serves this purpose, anchoring them in a reality where the “adventure” is more important than the “brand.”
What You’re Getting Wrong About the Shepard-Bell Dynamic
It’s easy to look at their fun posts and assume it’s all effortless. However, their philosophy is built on a very specific type of work.
- Presence is a Practice: Bell’s admission that she forgets to take photos isn’t a lapse in memory; it’s a disciplined choice to be “in the moment.”
- The “Adventure” over the “Vacation”: They don’t go to resorts; they go on “adventures.” The distinction lies in the participation—jumping in the water every morning rather than sitting by a pool.
The 2026 Outlook
As 2026 begins, the Shepard-Bell family is prioritizing gratitude and movement.
Whether it’s a boat ride on New Year’s Eve or a sweaty summer in Tennessee, their message is clear: the best way to see the world is to step outside your own bubble and get a little dirty.
Key Takeaways
- The family celebrated NYE 2026 with a boat ride and a “bonkers fun” party with friends.
- Kristen Bell advocates for “bursting the bubble” of L.A. life through rural, nature-based travel.
- The “Soul Filling” rule: A successful trip is one where you are too present to remember to take photos.
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