Figuring out what to say at the beginning of the year feels like a little more pressure than I first thought. Staring at the blank paper, wondering what the first words of 2026 will be. It got me thinking about why so much pressure is put on starting changes at the beginning of the year. Yes, it sets up the rest of the year to be on a better path, but is it truly that important to start the year off right? What if a messy start means a better year later on?

In my personal opinion, perfection is too much pressure, but if it is something that works for you then keep it going. Everyone is different and we all find different paths that work for us, but one common one is feeling like you have to make resolutions at the start of the year. I used to be one of them, until I got some advice that changed everything for me. If you have to wait months or until the start of a new year to start working on what you want, how bad do you actually want it? I had to take a moment to pause and think after hearing this. It shifted my perspective and for the last couple of years I stopped making New Year’s resolutions and started working on what I wanted as I was able to rearrange my schedule. This blog is an example of it.

For the new year, I’m deciding to continue not making resolutions and to be more decisive on how my next chapter starts. I still struggle with consistency, but that is what I’m working on moving into this new year. Before this, I had a podcast that I was trying out. Over the holidays, I got to spend some nice time with family, especially my nieces and nephew. One of them had asked me when I was going to put out another podcast episode and without a moment’s hesitation I replied that I’m putting out new episodes next year in 2026. That was it. In that simple little sentence, I realized I had set myself up for bringing it back. 

The next day, after I spent more time with them at the Gilmore Girls event at the Warner Brothers Studio, I started thinking more about how I was going to continue the podcast. The thoughts stayed with me through the next day at my job.  To be honest, it’s felt like time to move into the next chapter of my life but I’ve been in denial. I’m comfortable. However, it turns out that’s what is causing my restless feeling. So, why have I not stuck with it? Simple, I’m scared of failing. 

With everything that has been happening, that fear is shrinking. The more it runs through my brain, the more right it feels. I miss embracing the creative side that has been crammed into a box and shoved into a corner while I worked a typical day job. I was made to believe that it wasn’t possible to make a living that way. I got wrapped up in letting people convince me that I wasn’t able to do this. I didn’t believe in myself. So if I didn’t believe in myself, then who else was going to?

That is what I’m going to be working on. I’m not ready for this next chapter, but I’m going to start it anyway. There will be mistakes and low moments, but I’m going to work through them this time rather than letting them win. This is the next chapter of my life where I believe in myself and my creative ability. I hope you’ll be joining me along the way and enjoy the journey with me.

May this year greet you well and be filled with blessings to balance out the sorrows. Until next time, safe exploring everyone!