2026
I know I am not alone when I say that I am more than HAPPY to try again with 2026. Between everything and the state of the world, can we just move on?
2025 was NOT my year, at least I felt like it was more of a struggle than a success. I had moments that were good, but I feel like the struggles always seem to outweigh all of it.
Two things that I am so proud of this year.
I started my Substack and got back to writing. Just writing for fun, free writing, expression without any constraints or expectations. I don’t think you ever reach the end and say I am a great writer, nothing more to learn. But I see the growth and have a few projects at work for next year. Honestly, I would not have done it if it weren’t for my writer friends who just told me to start again. Having a bad experience that lives rent-free in my head has made it feel impossible to get back to what I love. It has been almost a year, and I just recently discovered what roads I want to go down. Something I kept putting off because I was afraid. Don’t get me wrong, I am still experiencing my rounds of imposter syndrome, but the joy I feel doing it overrides the fear….for now.
I started my podcast. After saying I was going to do a podcast and putting it off, I randomly came up with an idea that was a mix of all the things that I love, and boom, Stories in Stone was born. To say I love everything about it is an understatement. I love the research, the writing, the recording; it’s all a process, but I love having my hands in every part. I was a theatre geek for 10 years, and this gives me a glimpse of those days. For 10 minutes, I get to be a different person, and I love it.
Now, as for the struggles, those are too numerous to name, and honestly, I really don’t want to relive them. Some, I am still going through at this moment. But know that if you are dealing with the same, you are not alone. I tell my students that you learn more from your failures than you do from your successes. It doesn’t mean that you can’t hurt, because you do. You cry, you scream, you struggle.
Now, let’s look forward to 2026. Where are we going to be?
I don’t make resolutions. Resolutions imply you need to fix something about yourself as if you are broken. So I set goals, no more than 5 a year. I reflect on them being SMART goals, but I want to make them attainable, yet something I need to work on. And I am letting you in on them so we can do this together.
2026 Goals
Read 50 books by December 31st.
Grow my Substack and podcast.
Move my body more
Attend 5 concerts
Use physical copies instead of technology at least half the time.
I won a contest in 4th grade for reading the most pages of books that school year. I think it was over 4500 pages if I remember. So 50 books, absolutely doable for me. I just need to put the phone down and make time. I have a whole TBR just waiting.
I chose not to have a number on growth for Substack and podcast, so that number doesn’t make me obsess over it. Growth will be growth, whether it’s 10 more or 100 more people. If you build it, they will come. I wanted to get subscriptions started by this year, but my freelance gig put me behind. I will look into that at the start of the new year.
Sometimes you have to say difficult truths to yourself. I will admit I have become sedentary over the last year. With that, I want to move my body more. That could be walking, running, dancing, or whatever. I told my husband I wanted to turn our living room into a club. I was so fit when I went to the club, 3 nights a week, and danced for 3 to 4 hours. At least I don’t have to pay a cover.
We have one scheduled already! My kiddo and I love concerts, so why not spend more time doing the things that bring you joy? You can’t take it with you in the end. I plan on jamming out to my old favorites sometime this year.
Lastly, I really want to put my phone down more. Read physical books over Kindle, listen to vinyls over podcasts, and be more mindful about what I take in on a daily basis. Recently, I decided to purchase a stereo for my living room where I can play my CDs and vinyls. Yep, I still have my CDs from my youth.
The New Year new me mantra won’t be mine. I want to slow down, more peace, less stress, less living life in the fast lane, although I love The Eagles song.
I am taking a hiatus on writing and the podcast until the first week of January. I will have an article out on January 6th at 9 am and then an amazing welcome to 2026 podcast on January 9th.
For now, I wish you adieu until 2026. Have a safe and Happy New Year!