NYE 2025

Leading up to this New Year’s Eve, like many years, I have found myself reflecting on the year behind and what I want for the year ahead. While I don’t typically set lofty resolutions, I do like to think about what my intentions are for the new year and what I want to leave behind. I think for 2026 my word is going to be ‘Alignment’; not just externally, but internally, with my body, my energy, and my capacity.

In many ways I have spent 2025 abandoning my needs, ignoring my body’s burnout cues, and overall falling into old habits of people-pleasing and minimizing myself. 2025 kicked off with me finding out that the company I had been working for less than a year was shutting down operations. I was fortunate to find a new job with a new organization in June, but it hasn’t been the easiest transition. I don’t always do well in spaces where roles are not clearly defined; however, I know my value and I know that I am excellent at building systems and processes - which is what I was hired for. One thing I’m leaving behind in 2025 is my need to prove myself to anyone other than myself. I’m leaving behind the need to continue to own things that are no longer mine. 

I also spent time in 2025 worrying about things beyond my control (especially politically), and while I don’t plan to bury my head in the sand any time soon, I know that I want to learn to inform without absorbing. I want to take action without feeling overwhelmed. I want to honor my desire to stay involved locally in our school district, while also understanding that there are certain things that are simply beyond my control. 

So what does that bring into 2026? As always, I want to focus on being present. But not just present in my day to day and present with my kids (which of course I always want), but being more present in my body. Listening to my body’s need for rest and allowing myself to actually rest without feeling guilty about the lack of productivity in that moment. Listening to when my brain starts to feel chaotic and realizing that I need to take mental breaks too. Part of that is spending less time on social media (especially before bedtime). The last few nights I’ve been coloring while listening to a book and sipping on magnesium hot chocolate instead of my doom scroll (or hope quest), and I think that it’s been really helpful. Another part of that is being honest with myself instead of shoving down my feelings. 

I see the next year as keeping what expands me, and letting go of what consumes my energy. I’m not saying I want to become less generous or volunteer less. But I am saying that my energy is precious and I should treat it as such. 

Happy New Year’s Eve dear reader... if you got this far, well, thank you for sticking with me and my abandoned blog.