Goodbye 2025, Hello 2026
Another year and we say Goodbye to 2025, and Hello to 2026. I wasn’t sure how I wanted to approach this post. In previous years I’ve set long, ambitious lists. 25 for 2025, 24 for 2024… And while I still love the idea of structured goals, 2025 taught me something important; progress doesn’t always come from doing more. Sometimes it comes from doing what you need.
2025 has been quieter than some years and louder than others, but above all it’s been grounding. It’s the year I stopped measuring success purely by productivity and started recognising stability, consistency and resilience as achievements in their own right.
Looking Back At 2025
Going into 2025, I had a lot of hopes and plans. Looking back now, I can honestly say I achieved far more than I give myself credit for. Even if not everything went exactly to plan.
Here’s what I did achieve:
- I had more activity days. Giving myself permission to enjoy slower, more intentional time.
- I started revamping old blog posts. Bringing new life into content that still matters to me.
- I returned to Metricool and created a better, more realistic plan for my blog and content.
- I got a job, something that felt huge after a long period of uncertainty.
- I networked more, particularly within the book and disability communities, which has been incredibly affirming.
- I am still fighting anxiety and I’m proud of that. Because continuing is an achievement.
- I’m starting to sleep better (finally). It’s only really improved in the last couple of weeks, sod’s law! But it’s progress.
- I was signed off by the IBD department, which brought a huge sense of relief and closure.
- I’ve eaten better, snacked less, moved more and meal planned. Not perfectly, not consistently, but better than in 2024.
- I budgeted more intentionally, making better use of offers and sales where possible.
- I tried physical money-saving challenges and loved them. I managed to put some money aside and want to build on that.
- I took more photos, capturing moments I’d usually let slip by.
- I reset every Sunday, and the impact this had on my weeks was genuinely transformative.
There were goals I didn’t achieve and for once, I’m choosing not to dwell on them. What I have accomplished feels incredible compared to previous years. If anything, 2025 showed me that some of my past goals were simply too big for the era of life I’m in.
And that realisation has shaped how I’m approaching 2026.
A Different Approach for 2026
This year, I won’t be doing 26 for 2026.
Instead, I’m choosing 2–3 manageable, year-long goals across different areas of my life. Goals that support my health, my mindset and the life I’m trying to build, rather than overwhelm me.
Personal
- Continue taking more photos and actually uploading and storing them. I want to keep my phone storage low and my memories safe and accessible.
- Get a car. Nothing fancy, just a little banger to get me from A to B. I haven’t driven in almost eight years due to my health, and I’m hoping this will rebuild my confidence, give me more independence and make things like going to the gym more achievable.
Organisation
- Dedicate a solid hour each week to my planners. Staying organised is essential for my mental health. And I want this to be a screen-free time, rather than a chore.
Health
- Continue being mindful around snacking. No extremes, just awareness.
- Use the walking pad more, with the hope that this will gently lead me back into the gym when I’m ready.
Financial
- Continue with physical money-saving challenges. They’ve helped me manage change and become far more money-conscious.
- Earn more. Whether that’s through work progression or a side hustle, I want to put more money towards my long-term goal of having a place of my own.
Work
- Grow where possible in my role. I want to learn new skills, understand my industry better and confidently hit targets.
- Complete my safeguarding certificates. I need to renew my Level 2 and 3 certificates. They slipped this year, but they’re a clear priority for 2026.
Blog
- Upload a minimum of four times a month. I want to broaden my content, lean into what I genuinely love, and not limit myself to purely seasonal or event-based posts.
- Continue sorting through old blog posts, ensuring everything is tagged properly, SEO-compliant and accessible.
Bookstagram
- Change how I approach new releases, making them feel more me rather than discussion-led for the sake of it.
- Create a fun new prompt game. I’ve got an idea in the works, and if all goes well, you’ll see it very soon over on @afitionalplace.
Fun
- Attend more book events, both online and in person. Some authors aren’t UK-based, and I want to be more intentional about attending virtual events too.
- Game more, without guilt. Ideally 30 minutes to an hour a day to properly unwind (if you play Disney Dreamlight Valley, you’ll understand).
- More days out. I’ve been trialling two days out a month and want to continue that. It might not sound like a lot, but with health issues, anxiety, planning, cost and transport, it’s meaningful and realistic.
Goodbye 2025
2025 didn’t ask me to be everything. It asked me to be consistent, kind to myself and willing to adapt. And that might be the most valuable lesson of all.
So, Goodbye 2025 and Hello 2026. I’m ready.
You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, Bookstagram or Pinterest.
As always, thanks for reading…
