I think we’re all on the same page, right? No sudden movements, no loud noises – we do not want to spook 2026 straight out of the gate. Let it hide under the bed for a while if it wants to.

I’m not superstitious, but I am medium-stitious, and last night I did open the door to let out 2025, and blew a bit of cinnamon back through the door, and there is no sweeping or cleaning going on yesterday or today beyond the bare minimum for health and safety. No harm in a little house magic.

It’s funny how we latch on to a new year as the point to make change, do better, and whatnot. Even though we all know we could do it *anytime* – new month, week, day, hour, minute. But there is just something about a new *year* that is shiny and holds so much promise.

I’m certainly not immune to it – I don’t even make resolutions anymore (disappointing myself after 3 days got old after a while) but I am still sitting here thinking, “Oooh, shiny new year!”

I am certainly not doing a hard 75, read 100 books, get my shit together, start a side hustle, etc, etc. As it is, I yet again *completely* forgot about the First Day hikes again this year. (Awesome concept that I always forget exists, and it’s 27℉/-2℃ out there, so maybe a summer solstice hike will work better for me.)

But, I do have some very loose goals for 2026.

– Stay employed without burning out. I’ve gotten all my PTO on the calendar for the year, and I will continue to hold tight to my boundaries. I don’t get paid enough to put myself in the hospital.

– Get back to yoga. I really enjoy it, but I fall off the wagon very easily, and it’s weirdly hard to get going again. I think I will start back with the “all on the floor” routine I created a while back – it’s a good way to ease back into it and I don’t have to worry about tipping over. (Even at my best and most balanced, I tip over A LOT.)

– Continue to make a point of reading. Covid (the pandemic in general, not when I actually caught it) really messed up my ability to sit down and focus on a book, but I’ve gotten tons better, now it’s really just a matter of saying to myself, “Hey, sit down and read for a while.”

– Keep fighting back against this shit administration, even if it all feels wholly inadequate. Protest, yell at my reps, help the folks being hurt. I keep telling myself if we all do a little, it adds up to a lot.

– Keep loving on these sweet goobers. (You have to have some gimmes in the mix.)

– Glasswork!! This is another easy one – I already have a 7 week class on tap, and got myself the Optics Topics Harmonics project book from Bullseye to try out a new technique, that I think I can build on for other projects. It also finally occurred to me to start a google doc where I can write down ideas as they pop into my head. It’s almost 3 pages long already. (Double spaced, but still, a lot of ideas!) Here is my last piece from 2025 – I gave it as a gift and it was VERY well received! I was just so excited to have something gift-worthy. My friend asked, “So, are you taking commissions?”

Most importantly – don’t stress myself out. There will be enough garbage outside my control that will do that job, there is no need to do that to myself.

2026 is probably going to be hard, but I can do what I can to make it a little bit softer for myself and those around me.

And on that note, I have put on my comfy pants, and I’m going to go unroll my yoga mat and roll around artistically on the floor for a bit.

I wish you and yours a soft, peaceful, and as easy as possible New Year’s Day and 2026.