A New Year & A Big Personal Update – Welcome to 2026!

Holy smokes, friends… welcome to 2026!

Every year I say, “How is it already New Year’s? I can’t believe we’re here!” – and this year is no different. Except this time, I feel lighter. More hopeful. More ready.

2025 was the wildest chapter of my life. I started the year focused on growth, healing, and rebuilding a life centered on joy. It was a season of being brave, choosing myself, and trusting that good things were on the way – even if I didn’t know what they’d look like. And trusting that life still had surprises for me.

Spoiler: it did.

Table of Contents

❤️ A Soft Little Announcement

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know I never talk about dating here. Not because I wasn’t dating… just because nothing ever felt worth writing home about.

Until now. 💕

Back in June, I reconnected with an old friend… and that friend turned into a best friend… and then he turned into someone I care for so deeply my chest could quite literally burst. I’ve kept this part of my life quiet for months, but today feels like the right moment to share that I’m dating someone really incredible – someone kind, supportive, steady, and hilarious. He’s been a gift I didn’t see coming, and loving him has felt like safety, joy, and (especially) like home.

No name, no photos (yet 😉), but my heart is very full and I’m so happy.

So as I step into 2026, I’m celebrating a lot of love, growth, and the way life surprises us when we’re busy just trying to do better for ourselves.

OKAY – sappy part is officially over. Let’s talk New Year.

*He’s taken a few photos here and there, but he’s mostly become a hand model* 😅

A New Year & A Big Personal Update – Welcome to 2026!

Reflect

2025 taught me strength in ways I never expected. Losing my job, navigating uncertainties, rebuilding confidence (like, a lot), and pushing myself creatively through blogging again. It all really shaped me this year. I’m proud of how I showed up for myself, even imperfectly. I learned what matters, what doesn’t, and what makes me feel alive and happy again.

Reset

This year I’m craving routine, you guys. Slow mornings with tea, more writing, less chaos. I want to simplify what I can, create space for what feeds me, and stop trying to sprint through life. Rest, joy, and intentional habits – that’s the vibe.

I also fell off the health bandwagon last year (no shame, life got big and fast). But now it’s time to get back to feeling strong, energized, and like myself – especially with a family wedding in February that I refuse to buy a new dress for! So, we’re getting back to gentle workouts, nutritious meals, and rediscovering how to build muscles again.

Small goal: publish consistently without burnout.

Big goal: build a life I love living – full of health, love, routines, and future dreams. ✨

Soft goal: strength – in body, habits, and everything else quietly brewing.

Dream

I’m dreaming big in 2026. Travel stories to write, cozy homemaking posts to create, business ideas brewing, and a whole lot of love. I want to grow this blog into something lovely, helpful, and personal – a place you visit like you’d visit a friend’s home. You know?

And maybe, just maybe, you’ll see more glimpses of the person who’s been cheering me on behind the scenes. ☺️

To You – Thank You 💕

Thank you for reading, supporting, and showing up for me through every season. I’m genuinely honored you’re here. If you’d like to join me more closely this year, sign up for my email list below – I plan to send cozy updates, personal thoughts, and things I’m loving throughout 2026.

I hope 2026 surprises you the way 2025 surprised me. 💕