Another year has come and gone…
Another year has come and gone, so now it’s time again to reflect back and look ahead.
The last few years have been full of change and big accomplishments. 2024 was a big year in that we moved from Washington state to North Carolina, and the year that I finally finally published LISHKA.
2025 was another big year—we decided to stay here in the blue ridge mountains and we bought our very first house! A house built in 1987, the same year as me, with character and good bones and in need of a little bit of love.
Looking ahead to the next year, I know what I want 2026 to be. I saw (while on the doom scroll) a post where someone said they didn’t want a big year; instead they wanted quiet and calm, and an appreciation of the mundane. That’s what I want.
I want 2026 to be slower, peaceful, and full of small magics in every day life.
Reflecting back on 2025.
We took several great trips: we started 2025 with a family visit to Spain, which involved many motorcycle rides through the country and a trip to Valencia. We went back to the PNW for a wonderful summer camping trip on Baker Lake. Of course, we also did many local paddling trips and motorcycle rides through the blue ridge mountains. In September, Chris’ family visited us; they were our first visitors in our new home! We had a fabulous time eating our way through Asheville, and leaf peeping on the Parkway. Then in October my twin finally came to visit us, her first trip to North Carolina. We antiqued, ate at numerous fun places around town, relaxed, and just enjoyed much-needed sister time.
In April, we bought our first house. We actually got the first house we put an offer on, which was exciting. We then began to renovate said house, which I write more about here.
I got the hardcover of LISHKA released in January, which was the final version of the book for now (maybe someday I will be able to afford to do the audio book).
We antiqued ALOT and curated some gorgeous oil paintings. Where we live has fantastic antiquing and its been so much fun to buy for our own house.
We enjoyed cuddling our little cat Paul and added probably thousands of pictures of him to our already bursting photo libraries. I mean, he’s adorable.
How did I do on my 2025 Goals?
Finish editing my second novel—When I wrote this, I intended to have the full manuscript complete, through self-editing and the several rounds with my editor. Later today, I am planning to finish self-editing the last two chapters. While I didn’t reach this goal, I’m pleased that I am just about done with my round of editing (still counts right? Hey I bought a house this year, I was busy!). Then the book will go to my twin for her feedback, then I will start the editing process with a professional editor.
Write every day—I did not achieve this one, and am afraid I once again succumbed to months of not touching the book. That being said, I’ve loved writing in the new house with my tree-view. I just rearranged my office to help with inspiration. It’s working!
Become financially literate—My husband and I started down this path. We talked to a financial planner and got a plan together to start learning more. Then…we bought a house. There is a theme here. This is one I definitely want to roll into 2026.
Get more exercise and get healthy—In the past few months, I’ve started doing yoga twice a week. While I need to make sure I move more during the day, we live in a lovely neighbor for walking, and the yoga studio is less than 10 minutes away in the small downtown of our new community.
Let go that which I cannot control—I’m not sure this is a goal I will ever truly reach, more something to continue to strive for. While I’m afraid to say I failed rather miserably at this one, I did have a turning point late in the year and am hopeful to continue to grow here next year.
Looking ahead to the new year.
I’m not sure that I want to set specific goals again this year, as it doesn’t really seem to work for me. I have the usual in mind, which is to write more, be financially responsible, and be healthier.
Instead, I want to embrace a mindset and lifestyle geared toward slowing down. I want to move slower, think slower, and give my brain space to be still. In stillness, I find my creativity.
I want to be mindful of where I spend my energy, and focus only cultivating the things that I want in life, and letting go of anything else.
I want to enjoy experiencing my new house. In the early mornings when the house is still, I want to pad down the creaky steps to sip a cup of coffee while staring out my little kitchen window into the forest.
I want to grow a garden; I have in my head that growing a garden here will really help me settle into the house, make it truly mine.
I want to make progress furnishing and decorating my home in a way that feels warm and comforting, and with a certain amount of whimsy. Yes, I want the whimsy! I want to surround myself with things that I love, that are nostalgic and evoke a bit of magic.
When I imagine myself this time next year, it is snuggling with Paul and Chris in front of a working fireplace, relaxed and peaceful.
There is a lot of conversation on the ‘gram about how January is not a time for bursting into action with new energy, but instead one of rest. We are still in winter, we are still hibernating. Spring will bring forth our new energy and renewal, and that is still many months away. So Chris and I decided to spend the first day of the new year getting some sunshine and exploring the mountains. Meandering through the forest of sticks was a wonderful way to embrace the beauty and stillness of mid-winter.
Hiking a decommissioned trail in the Pisgah National Forest on New Years Day 2026.
