New Year, New Me

There’s something refreshing about the start of a new year. A chance to sit and reflect on the past 12 months, looking forward to the next 12. It is the perfect opportunity to consider what has been achieved and how these experiences can help push you even further. The perfect way to set yourself up for the new year is to set goals or resolutions that you can look back on and reflect on at the end of the year, helping to put your growth into perspective. This year, my resolutions for 2026 focus on reading, creativity, and professional growth.

1. Finally Finishing My TBR List

If you’re a reader, you know the struggle of a never-ending “To Be Read” list. Mine has grown faster than I can keep up with, filled with books I bought with excitement and fully intended to read “soon.” This year, I want to be more intentional about my reading habits and actually finish my list.

That doesn’t mean rushing through books, which can turn reading into a chore. Instead, it’s about allowing myself to read without distractions. While my favourite kinds of books are fiction, I will try to push myself out of my comfort zone into non-fiction as well. I will also explore more book formats. While I love eBooks and paperbacks, I don't typically pick up a hardback, and I have little experience with audiobooks. I would like to give these more of a chance and allow myself more opportunities for reading. DNFing books can be contentious in the book community, but to get through my list, I will allow myself to DNF books, either completely or softly, to come back to and try again later.

2. Being More Creative Through Art

Creativity has always been something I love, but not always something I prioritise. Life gets busy, routines take over, and suddenly weeks pass without picking up a sketchbook or camera. This year, I want to change that.

I’m making space for creativity—not for perfection or productivity, but for expression. I want to experiment with art without worrying about the outcome, and use photography as a way to slow down and notice the world around me. Capturing small moments, interesting light, or unexpected details feels like a way of preserving time and perspective.

Being creative isn’t about being “good” at something, which is something I often forget. As soon as im not 100% happy about something I have made, I am so likely to give up immediately. This year, I’m giving myself permission to create simply because it brings me happiness. I will start slowly, taking any opportunity I feel creative, and then I aim to participate in 30-day drawing challenges, completing one prompt a day.

3. Pushing Myself in My Career

Growth rarely happens inside a comfort zone, and while it’s easy to stick with what feels safe and familiar, this year I want to push myself professionally. This includes taking on any challenges that present themselves head-on, learning new skills and applying them in my work, and pursuing opportunities that feel slightly intimidating.

Progress isn’t always a huge change, and it is essential to recognise smaller steps of progress and how to utilise them for bigger and better opportunities.

Moving Forward in 2026

These resolutions aim to push me to be confident in myself as someone who loves stories, creativity, and my job. I know there will be days when motivation fades, but what matters is returning to these intentions and choosing to keep going.

As we step into a new year, sharing your New Year’s resolution can be a powerful way to inspire others and stay motivated yourself. When we discuss our goals openly, we foster a sense of community, accountability, and encouragement that makes change feel more achievable. Your resolution might be exactly what someone else needs to hear to inspire them. Let’s support one another by sharing our intentions and growing together this year. We would love to hear about your resolutions for 2026! ?