A Renewed Faith in What’s to Come

We made it through 2025!

For some of us, it was a year marked by an overwhelming barrage of news (something I chose to step away from as much as possible) paired with goals achieved. For others, the year felt empowering, shaped by narratives that sparked a new kind of confidence. And for many, it was simply a struggle to keep up with life.

What did 2025 give you? Did you merely survive it, or did you truly live? Did you finally do something you had always dreamed of? More? Less? What did the year teach you?

Here is how I experienced mine.

January didn’t sit well with me. I won’t make a political statement here, but I will say that I needed to get away. Fortunately, the previous December my supervisor  agreed to let me work from home every other month. That single change gave me hope and something beautiful to look forward to.

Working across time zones turned out to be a gift. Much of Europe aligns surprisingly well with EST hours, and I embraced it fully. Throughout 2025, I traveled, moving from town to town, savoring quiet mornings and long walks until early afternoon, when my workday would begin. It was perfect. Being away, not feeling anchored in one place, was the vitamin my soul needed.

The months passed with travel, writing, editing, and work woven seamlessly into a life well lived. Freedom changes everything. My mental health reached a peak I hadn’t experienced in years. I felt happy, grounded, and deeply satisfied with both my life and my accomplishments.

And I even had a little summer love affair, something I hadn’t experienced in a very-very long time. But thoughts on love deserve a blog of their own.

All in all, 2025 was kind to me. And I truly hope that, even if you couldn’t enjoy all of it, you found moments of joy along the way.

Now we step into 2026.

It appears that I may not have the same flexibility at work this year, and I’ll admit, it brings anxiety and uncertainty. I don’t yet know what I will do, but I do know this:

I will no longer be the person who sacrifices herself entirely. I need to take care of myself now. If I don’t, who will?

This is the season of resolutions, wishes, commitments, diets, and plans of every kind.

As for my own commitments, the most important one is continuing to grow my happiness and inner peace. Without them, I cannot share what I have learned. And one thing I have learned is that I love to help others, mindfully and intentionally. Beyond that, I want to be more patient, more loving, even when others test me. And yes, a third goal feels necessary: to give more.

I haven’t said much about my family because loving them is a given. I want to spend as much time with them as possible, as much or more than 2025, while also honoring the fact that my children are now adults, living their own lives. They remain my greatest pride and joy.

However long or short your list of hopes for 2026 may be, please don’t pressure yourself. You will do what you are meant to do. Set realistic goals, protect your boundaries, and make yourself a priority. There is no “us,” no team, no family, and no giving if you are depleted. Take care of you.

May 2026 be an extraordinary year. Celebrate every accomplishment, no matter how small. Pat yourself on the back. Look in the mirror and congratulate yourself. Or celebrate big! Go out and mark the moment. You are amazing. You are exactly where you need to be. And things will unfold in the direction you choose to guide them.

Happy 2026 🌷