Here we are, at the first full week of the New Year. As I’ve mentioned early in recent years, I find that starting softly and easing into the year works better for me than those years when I hit the ground running, frantic to outrun obstacles coming at me like trains jumping the track. Slow, soft, and flexible turns out to be a more workable approach for me, and then I’m not as hard on myself all year, too.
If setting goals, dreams, and resolutions doesn’t work for you, don’t do it. It’s that simple. It works for me, and it helps give me a road map for the year, which I am then flexible enough to let evolve as the year grows and changes.
Also, don’t ever feel pressured to share anything in the comments. If you want to share experiences, questions, and what you’re working on, it’s always welcome. If you prefer to read the posts and work silently on your own, that is equally welcome.
There are a lot of self-proclaimed gurus out there who insist they have the answers all of us need to build the life we want (usually for a fee), and they throw out words like “alignment” and “intent” and “embodiment.” These terms are quickly becoming market-speak, rather than holding their purpose.
I don’t claim to have all the answers. I’m experimenting, just like everyone else. I share my experiments in the hopes it helps someone else feel less alone. I will also share, in the coming year, how I navigate a lot of these “influencer” opinions that I feel often cause more harm than good. Even in workshops, I often find advice that feels wrong in my body. Too often, they encourage acquiescence to systems of oppression, instead of finding ways to dismantle those systems and create something more equitable. Because the latter takes work.
There’s been a lot of talk about 2025 being the year of the wood snake and 2026 being the year of the fire horse, from shedding to movement. Just remember that it does not happen on January 1, it happens on Chinese Lunar New Year, which is on February 17. There are a few more snake weeks.
There’s also numerological talk of how 2025 was a 9 year of completion and the Hermit in tarot, and that 2026 adds up to 10, which distills to 1. 10 in the tarot is usually the Wheel of Fortune, and 1 the Magician. I plan to work with both those energies in 2026, not just the Magician. After all, the minor arcana in tarot goes up to 10, before moving into the court cards, and the full cycle of the Major Arcana goes all the way up to the World card, which is numbered as 21, but the 22nd card in the deck, since the Fool is zero. If you’re interested in tarot, I now do weekly community tarot readings on the Cerridwen’s Cottage website here. They go up on Mondays, generally.
Okay, now for my responses to the questions for 2026.
Look back on 2025. While it was tumultuous on a collective/governmental level, what was it like for you on a personal level? You are allowed to have joy and success even when things are chaotic, no matter what anyone else tells you. Take a look back at what didn’t work, what changed, and, most importantly, what worked.
My Response: It’s hard to separate the personal from the political, because the only people who can say “I don’t do politics” are those being served by systemic oppression against others, or else it hasn’t affected them personally yet. I felt like I was way behind/failed because I did not release a Nina Bell mystery or finish a full-length play in 2025. However, I had 3 readings of 3 different plays in 3 states across 6 weeks; I taught a screenplay tools workshop; I was part of WAM’s literary committee; I was part of For the People Library cohort; I was in the 2025 Witches’ Almanac; I had a piece in “Words on Art on Words”; I was part of the exquisite corpse poem with Word X Word, and wrote the early drafts of “Bread and Jam, But Not for Frances” for them; “the Effie Effect” was released; CELLULOID CRIMES anthology, with my short story “Serious Acting” was released; I did another residency with the Boiler House Poets at MASS MoCA; I was part of both Honor Roll and the Feminist Writing Community. I posted weekly community tarot readings, and grew my own tarot and meditation practices enormously. I stuck with yoga, and expanded that practice. I had a piece in the Future Labs show with fellow cohort members, and then became an associate gallery member. I taught a workshop at Future Labs on “Dramatizing History.” I attended library trustee meetings and public art meetings, and socialized a little more, in ways that were comfortable to me. I started feeling like a valued member of this community.
I did not meet most of the goals I set last January. I have not brought up my belongings from storage. Although I worked on Nina Bell, intermittently, I did not release any of those mysteries last year, and I had to push the 5-book ANGEL HUNT cycle back a year. I did not finish I WILL BE DIFFERENT or LAUGHTER & TURPENTINE, and I did not get the revisions done on SERENE & DETERMINED.
I replaced the dysfunctional client with the ghostwriting client, which felt good. The book review company was sold, and I am adjusting to working with the new owners.
I did not take a vacation or get the car completely fixed (I got some things done). I didn’t stick to digital detox, but I took more time for myself, walked to more places than I drove, a built in more time for poetry. I set more boundaries, and I removed some toxic people from my life.
I very much lived the Hermit card!
Of the things that worked, what set a foundation that you will build on for 2026? List three active steps you will take to do so.
My Response: One of the things that worked best was the morning routine of yoga/meditation/free write. I want to continue and be as consistent as possible with that. The writing, in particular, shook a lot loose, and it’s setting a good foundation for this year’s work.
–Keep writing
–Organize the notes regularly so I can use them
–Build on the writing and let it lead me to take more chances
Another thing that worked was getting more consistent with the marketing, creating content calendars and sticking to them. I need to continue with that and explore more interview opportunities next year. I’m still at the exploration step on that, and will add other steps as I figure them out.
What did you learn from what didn’t work? How will that support you moving forward?
My Response: I learned that my instincts let me know early on if something is not right for me, and cutting slack to “see if it works” is a waste of time. I will listen to my instincts sooner.
Of the things that changed/were released, what do you expect is a final closure, what do you want to put into stasis until it’s ready to return, and what do you want to try again? You might only have something (or more than one thing) in one of these categories, which is fine.
My Response: Some people are now gone from my life. Some of it is just life taking us in different directions, some had to be more harshly removed because they were not healthy for me. I look at those as final closure. I had to give up a long-term dream that is also final closure, but my current path is a better one. There are some projects that are currently in stasis until I figure out how to schedule them in without burning myself out.
Looking ahead in 2026, what is one emotion you want to feel centered and grounded in for the year? Once you choose that, take a few minutes each day to sit and feel it in those moments. Experience it so you recognize it and can make it so.
My Response: I want to feel grounded in my sovereignty.
List three goals for 2026, and then three active steps toward each goal. The goals are about tangibles you want in your life.
Goal 1: Finish the draft of I WILL BE DIFFERENT
Steps:
–Build in regular time to finish the draft and be consistent
–Do the research for the remaining two sections of the play
–Start figuring out how to multiple-cast roles
Goal 2: Publication of THE VICIOUS CRITIC
Steps:
–Finish the galleys (both digital and print)
–Sign off
–Market the launch diligently
Goal 3: Add 2 more regular clients in desired work arenas to the roster
Steps:
–Research potential clients
–Prepare LOI packets
–Be diligent with follow-up
List three dreams for 2026, and then three active steps toward each. These are dreams, so they can be anything, even if they seem illogical at this moment.
I do not feel comfortable sharing these publicly yet.
List three resolutions for 2026, commitments you make to yourself to live the life you want, and three steps to keeping those promises.
Resolution 1: Continue to grow my yoga and meditation practices
Steps:
–Daily consistency
–Explore more workshops and classes
–Block off at least one long weekend for a retreat, be it home-based or elsewhere.
Resolution 2: Listen to my body
Steps:
–Rest when tired, instead of pushing myself to burnout
–Let my body lead in situations with new people/new places and trust those first impressions
–Learn how to feel safe.
Resolution 3: Recommit to sewing and fibrecrafts
Steps:
–Block regular time to sew, crochet, or learn something new
–Show up and do things during that time
–Meet and support other fiber artists in their work
Pick one small business in your area that you will support in the coming year, rather than a big box store. If you have accessibility issues and can’t shop in person or online there, consider sharing posts/information about it on social media. And yes, of course, you can change your mind during the year and switch to a different small business. The point is to support your direct community rather than larger corporate entities.
My response: There are so many wonderful local businesses here, I can’t limit myself to just one! The priorities this year will bounce between The Bear and Bee Bookshop and Wild Soul River.
Pick one interest locally and get involved this year. It could be a knitting group at the library or a walking club or a local museum or historical society. Show up at events whenever possible, share information about them on social media, get to know people. If you can’t go in person, see if you can get involved in something online. If you’re not a “group” person, consider participating in The Silent Book Club or The Sunday Letter Project.
My response: I plan on joining The Sunday Letter Project. On a local level, I am an associate member of an art gallery this year, and I will turn out to support my colleagues, and enjoy the opportunities there.
Pay attention to local government. Don’t groan at me. Things won’t change unless we know what’s going on and change them. If you can’t/don’t want to go to a local council meeting in person, watch online or read agendas and minutes. Stay in regular communication with local councilors, state and federal reps. Let them know your thoughts on issues. They can’t represent you if you don’t communicate. If you can, start sitting in on town committees, and even join one. Knowledge of local events and participation matter. “It won’t change anything, no one listens” is simply not true. Make them listen, and create momentum for change.
My response: I sit in on the library meetings every month, and on the Public Art meetings when I can. I am in regular contact with elected officials on state and federal levels, but am trying to get more involved locally.
Make a commitment to your local library. Get a card. Use it. If you don’t read print books anymore, use their digital options, such as Libby or Hoopla. You can also borrow DVDs, music, read newspapers, research, and more. Libraries are vital to our communities. I use my public library and its regional network about three times a week, and I have a community card at the college library in my neighborhood.
My response: I am at the library about three times a week, sit in on the monthly meetings, and am a member of the Friends.
Build in time to daydream. Daydreaming is often derided, usually by people who would rather we work ourselves into exhaustion for their profit. But daydreaming is a way to explore possibilities, and then decide if we want to try any of those possibilities/personas on. Whether it’s in the bathtub or before bedtime, or just sitting on a bench in the sun, give yourself the room to daydream.
My response: This is so important and so often neglected. Having a day a week offline, and regular time around meditation practices will help with this.
Yes, 2026 is more than about the self. It is about taking something out into the world to create positive change in our communities.
Feel free to share what you are working on, or just remain silent.
I will try to post on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month here, offering ideas, experiences, and resources.
May 2026 be a year of positive, gentle change.
Goals, Dreams, and Resolutions 